Minimalist White

Somewhat off the beaten track and nestling in a lush landscape there lies an old, slightly dilapidated dike house in Watervliet, Belgium.

The property has been fully renovated based on plans by architect Bart Lens and extended with a new building that was built directly into the top of the dike.

Looking from the street, the modern addition to the building is not immediately recognizable as a house and blends harmoniously into the overall architecture of the landscape. The particular construction style means that fruit trees grow on the landscaped roof, with colorful wild flowers on the sloping, sun-facing side. Alongside an expansive view of the landscape through the large window façade, a further benefit of the subterranean design is simple heat storage.

The concrete and steel of the new building creates contrasts with the white finish of the façade and roof. The interior design blends wood with concrete and white and gray tones, forging a harmonious link between the old and new parts of the property.

The original part of the building houses two simple, bright bedrooms, while the living room, kitchen and bathroom are located in the extension.

In keeping with the idyllic view, the prevailing mood in the bathroom is one of well-being.

Walls, floor and ceiling, all consistently finished in white, blend with natural materials to create a pleasant ambience. A large Vero double washbasin and a Starck 3 series toilet round off the bathroom. The color palette visually enlarges the light room, while accessories made from wood and wicker create highlights and emphasize the warm atmosphere. The compact version of the Vero washbasin and the Starck 3 toilet pick up on the minimalistic white theme in the guest bathroom.

Duravit AG