rick abelen builds a 6sqm look-out house complete with periscope in rural belgium

inhabiting the landscape of a nature reserve, called gaverbeekse meersen, in belgium is a micro architectural intervention realized by rick abelen of abelen architectuur. designed as a look-out and a place of contemplation, the marsh house has been erected as part of contrei live, an arts trail that’s celebrating the region and it’s connection to water.

images by contrei live

the marsh house is described by rick abelen as an ‘unparalleled room with a view over the gaverbeek brook, its pristine pastures and biodiversity.’ to get a better look over this green, meandering landscape, the design features a periscope protruding through the roof, which also serves as the symbolic chimney to the building’s archetypical ‘house’ shape. 

with nature and the enjoyment of nature at the forefront of this project, the installation is constructed from a simple plated timber frame coated in white. amid the greenery, the solid white color of the house stands as a recognizable landmark. the white hut intends to serve as a physical place to experience and discover nature at its best. it’s a roof for people, art, landscape, and nature to live under in harmony.

nature reserve gaverbeekse meersen extends along the lower reaches of the gaverbeek creek in zulte and waregem. the marshes are still an important flood zone and nature acquisition area, where nature can be sustained without affecting agriculture, forestry or recreation all too severely. an old railway embankment cuts through the very heart of this area of natural beauty with its lovely meadows and hayfields. the hut, in the middle of the open green, overlooking the meersen moors and verging on hiking and cycling trails, may be accessed via this obsolete embankment. 

intermunicipal organisation leiedal – the regional developer for south west flanders – has just turned 60 and wants to share this special occasion by putting its territory in a festive spotlight, involving locals as well as visitors. marking its anniversary, leiedal sets the stage for contrei live, an arts trail on and off the water throughout the region’s 13 towns and cities. sixteen national and international artists, architects and designers invite people on a meandering trail of artistic discovery to reflect on water in a landscape theatre and to engage into dialogue on the importance of water as an ever more precious commodity. contrei live takes to the water with made-to-measure art interventions until october 26 2020.

project info:

project name: marsh house (meershuisje)

location: gaverbeekse meersen, waregem, south west flanders, belgium

client: intermunicipal organisation leiedal

architecture firm: abelen architectuur

architect: rick abelen

gross built area: 64.58 ft2 (6 m2)

completion year: 2020

photography: contrei live

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