House L-C
Graux & Baeyens architecten
Anzegem, Belgium
The site was an empty plot on a village road in Anzegem, between a typical Flemish ribbon development and a detached piece of Belle Époque architecture, so to ensure a fluid transition from one to another, it was vital that the design provide the missing link.
The plot's trapezium shape forced the architects to think up a creative solution, and what arose was a semi-open house that begins narrowly on the street side and opens up towards the back. Because of the diverging of the plot, the side facade becomes part of one's view of the house, and therefore also contributes to the street scenery.
Because of the narrow, construction-free garden strip and the proximity of the neighbor, the side facade was staggered in relation to the plot boundary, resulting in an animated second 'street facade' instead of a monotonous wall. The facade's zigzag movement made it possible to make the side garden a full adendum of the house, rather than just a driveway.
© Jeroen Verrecht