Residence EB by Mieke Van Herck architects

The abstraction of a country house with thatched roof into a contemporary residence.

In a quiet neighbourhood in 's-Gravenwezel in Belgium, Mieke Van Herck architects renovated an existing thatched-roof country house. Since the team is continuously looking for harmony between modern and rural architecture it abstracted the rural house into a unique, contemporary residence. A remarkable feature is the sleek, black pavilion that offers space for the kitchen on a floating platform.

The ground floor living spaces of Residence EB were maximised and finished with natural materials such as marble and Pietra dei Medici natural stone and refined veneers . Two great features here are the reception area with ultra-large sitting area and the stylish, sober work space framed in a bay window reminding us of the original mansion.
The villa was further complemented by a pavilion that accommodates the kitchen on a floating platform. The sleek design of the architectural extension blends perfectly with the rural architecture thanks to the façade cladding with black afrormosia planking. Furthermore, the new volume at the rear of the house flows into a covered terrace with built-in barbecue. In line with Mieke Van Herck architects' signature, the view of the outdoor environment is omnipresent and always nearby. An inventive detail that nicely illustrates this extraordinary synergy is one of the windows in the kitchen. That window extends from ceiling to floor and is flanked inside by a bespoke cupboard with incisions, allowing daylight and greenery to subtly reach the sheltered interior.

The entrance hall of Residence EB received a modern-countryside upgrade, bringing Schwung to the home with its smooth curves. Upstairs, the master bedroom reads like a hotel suite and the family's daughter was given a separate chill-out area where friends always feel welcome. She also feels at home in this dream home that her parents purchased as a coup de foudre, and which after the renovation feels even more like a signature home for life and much longer.

Completed: December 2022
Location: 's-Gravenwezel, Belgium
Project ID: architecture + interior

(Copyright images: Annick Vernimmen)

About Mieke Van Herck architects

Every residential project by Mieke Van Herck Architects is a compelling universe in which architecture, interior and garden design merge perfectly. Mieke Van Herck has left her own, unique mark on Belgian architecture in recent years. Her projects are leading signature projects that adorn the environment like an unmistakable style bible on the border of rural and modern architecture.

The combination of austere architecture with warm, state-of-the-art interiors, the seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, as well as the careful selection of premium materials and the far-reaching detailing in every phase from design to finish are characteristic of these estates. At the same time, each overall project is a unique response to the lives of its occupants. How it is conceived, arranged, decorated, in short: how you experience the home, unmistakably tells who they are and how they live.