Free-Standing Residence On Historic Site In Schoten
YEAR
2018
LOCATION
Schoten, Belgium
TYPE
Residential › Private House
The house is located directly opposite the Horst Chapel in Schoten, on a site that once accommodated the 19th century rectory of the chapel.
The property formed a part of the Vordenstein Castle domain and was one of the last remains of a place of pilgrimage originating in the 15th century.
The Horst Chapel and the entire adjacent Vordenstein domain are of historical interest, both culturally and in terms of landscape.
The outer walls, with elongated frameless windows, are oriented toward anchor points in the historical surroundings.
A spiral staircase leads up from the entrance to the living spaces on the first floor. The rear facade is entirely cut away and opens out onto a large terrace.
An other spiral staircase, in a tubular steel casing, connects the terrace with the garden.
The house was constructed close to the street, in parallel with the building line of the chapel.
By way of this visual narrowing, the gateway effect of the former hamlet and place of pilgrimage ‘Den Horst’ is strengthened once more.
The choice of materials refers back to the fundamental architecture typical in this region at the time - traditional materials such as red brick and natural slate, which are also to be found in the chapel.
The layout, with the sleeping areas on the ground floor and the living space on the floor above, is atypical but has certain advantages.
The partially covered terrace that is connected to the living space offers an expansive view of the nature reserve that lies behind the home.