

set within a forest clearing in ghent, belgium, the ‘house BM’ by belgian practice architecten de vylder vinck taillieu connects with the surrounding nature through each of its facets. gently lifted above the ground with a foundation on wells, the structure allows the wooded environment and tree roots to pass unaffected beneath the floor plate. the circular floor plan is arranged around a central courtyard which wraps around a cluster of existing mature trees. bordered with 18 windows comprised of large glass panels, the exterior environment is woven into the internal experience, maintaining views from all rooms within the dwelling.



exterior

image © filip dujardin (also main image)

the concrete floor and roof slabs are connected with intermittent concrete partitions which divide the internal circulation and rooms. the structural elements vary in depth based upon the varied spans, maintaining its thickness near the perimeter of the home and becoming thinner towards the inner ring. left exposed, the raw texture left from the construction formworks become the interior’s main finish. formed with sheets of plywood, external shutters enclosing the facade form an alternating pattern when drawn closed.



the structure is gently lifted above the ground

image © filip dujardin



black panels with white detailing

image © filip dujardin



bedrooms are bordered with red facade detailing

image © filip dujardin



living spaces are bordered with white facade detailing

image © filip dujardin



corridor bordering internal courtyard

image © filip dujardin



glass sliding doors open to the internal courtyard

image © filip dujardin



image © filip dujardin



fireplace

image © filip dujardin



living area

image © filip dujardin



image © filip dujardin



kitchen

image © filip dujardin



view of kitchen from dining area

image © filip dujardin



image © filip dujardin



image © filip dujardin



courtyard

image © filip dujardin



(left) inner ring corridor

(right) office

images © filip dujardin



(left) children’s bedroom

(right) corridor

images © filip dujardin



bedroom corridor

image © filip dujardin



construction

image © filip dujardin



resting upon an elevated concrete floor slab, vertical concrete partitions support the concrete roof slab

image © filip dujardin



texture from the wooden construction formwork remain exposed to produce a uniform interior finish

image © filip dujardin



before enclosure

image © filip dujardin



floor plan / level 0



sketch of the dwelling within the woods



sketch of glass boundary between internal courtyard and living spaces



sketch of living area



sketch of dining area