Patiowoning Vijver is a minimalist home located in Diepenbeek, Belgium, designed by BOT architektuurcollectief. This 1970s split-level house once showcased a boxed design with limited light access and little interaction with its expansive garden. Now, it stands as a modern dwelling, brilliantly illuminated by natural light, with strategic viewpoints to its picturesque environment. Positioned strategically on a corner lot, the home takes advantage of its proximity to the confluence of the Stiemerbeek and the Kaatsbeek with the Demer. Its garden space remains untouched, a deliberate decision to maintain the area’s openness, melding seamlessly with the neighboring landscape.
While the house underwent a design overhaul, it kept its original structural levels: a basement, a lofty living area, a designated sleeping zone, and a versatile mezzanine which holds potential as an added bedroom. The transformation is most evident in the home’s heart, where a once dimly lit kitchen has given way to a luminous patio. This patio not only ushers in sunlight and fresh air deep into the home but also uniquely connects the bathroom to the living room, endowing the latter with a dual outlook. The house’s central stairwell draws attention with its grand stature, crowned with a circular skylight that diffuses light beautifully.
The western façade features expansive windows that foster a strong bond with the garden. However, the other sides of the home are intentionally kept more discreet, addressing concerns of privacy and temperature regulation. Aesthetic coherence is achieved through the home’s minimalistic material selection. Predominantly, “Veldoven” bricks, wood, concrete, and zinc have been employed. Notably, the field oven bricks, locally sourced from Hoeselt just 15 km away, punctuate the interior design as standalone pieces, architectural volumes, and rounded internal partitions. In a forward-thinking move, all new partitions within are non-bearing, allowing flexibility for potential future modifications, ensuring the home remains relevant for various occupants or evolving requirements.
