An Asymmetrical, Sustainable Home Rises in Belgium After a Devastating Fire

A nearly decade-long collaboration between Atelier Tom Vanhee and the owner results in a playful renovation that prioritizes passive design principles and multifunctional living spaces.

An Asymmetrical, Sustainable Home Rises in Belgium After a Devastating Fire

A nearly decade-long collaboration between Atelier Tom Vanhee and the owner results in a playful renovation that prioritizes passive design principles and multifunctional living spaces.

About 30 minutes north of Brussels in Vilvoorde, Belgium, architecture studio Atelier Tom Vanhee led a thorough renovation of a fire-devastated home using sustainable materials and passive design principles. The Brussels firm collaborated closely with the client for over eight years to perfect the 1,431-square-foot residence, dubbed Blanket of Steel.

Photo by Filip Dujardin

One of the home’s most striking features is its white metal exterior, which replaced the original brick. The front and rear facades, as well as the sloping roof surfaces, are all clad in highly insulating sandwich panels that create unity throughout the volume. While the street-facing elevation blends in with the neighboring homes, the rear facade’s asymmetrical, slanted panels bring a healthy dose of personality. 

Photo by Filip Dujardin

Photo by Filip Dujardin

See the full story on Dwell.com: An Asymmetrical, Sustainable Home Rises in Belgium After a Devastating Fire