Home of a Collector in Belgium

To solve this task, Belgian architect Rob Molts, who heads his own firm, designed a single-story addition, placing the hosts' living room, gym, and bedroom inside. The interior finishing of both the new addition and the original house was handled by Studio K based in Antwerp.

Architects aimed to highlight the contrast between separate spaces. Rooms with dark, intimate atmospheres are set against bright and open areas. To connect the different zones, designers used identical materials and colors in each space.

The library is located near the entrance area. The tinted oak floor and bookshelves made of dark veneer create an intimate atmosphere conducive to reading. The spacious, bright dining room is located in a neighboring space, with large glass doors leading to the terrace on the roof of the addition. The large dining table can be used for quiet dinners, as a workspace, or to spread books on it.

A light open staircase with dark oak steps leads to the lower, basement level. Here, the light polished concrete floor transitions into the garden and patio flooring, underlining the consistency between internal and external spaces of the house. Among the furniture are antique and modern pieces that blend beautifully with contemporary white walls, large windows, and wooden ceiling and support structures. The kitchen can be hidden using large white sliding panels. The kitchen wall cabinet also conceals the door to the bedroom. The same idea is applied upstairs in the library. Residents can change the space, making it closed or open, harmoniously light or cozy and intimate. The attic houses a guest room and a cinema hall.

Photos: David Dumon