Architecture studio OYO has renovated a derelict house in Belgium, lining its interiors with wood and bringing it “into more harmony with the nature of the dunes” that surround it.
Aptly named Dune House, the home is half buried in its sandy plot and has been overhauled by OYO to bring it to modern-day standards while enhancing its connection to its site.
The alterations also aim to celebrate its existing character and structure, which was partially destroyed by bombing during world war two and then reconstructed in timber during the 1960s.
“We did not want to interfere with the authentic feel: the derelict house was charming, well-oriented and had an interesting layout which we preserved to a large extent,” OYO Architects told Dezeen.
The clients were looking for a house where they could swim together, play with the grandchildren, cook for family and enjoy dinners at home” it continued.
“We wanted to design a sustainable, long-lasting home without compromising on living comfort and connection to bring the house into more harmony with the nature of the dunes.”
Dune House is entered via an existing exterior brick staircase, which provides access to the first floor.
Here is a generous open-plan living space with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, which open up the rear wall onto the outdoor terrace overlooking a heated swimming pool.
Lined by blue-coloured columns, the terrace doubles as an outdoor dining space and shelter for an outdoor shower area positioned below it.
The reconfigured ground floor comprises the bedrooms, alongside a family bathroom and utilities area.
Wood is the primary material used throughout Dune House, with the warm tones of the exposed timber panelling creating a “cosy and welcoming atmosphere”, OYO said.
Bespoke elements include integrated storage and window seats for the family’s young children to use as reading nooks.
“The house is half embedded in the dunes, making it seem more compact whilst still providing the comfort of two floors,” explained OYO Architects.
“In the open living space, the borders between inside and outside are blurred: sliding doors can open completely towards the elevated terrace,” the studio continued. “These interventions give the guests a feeling of grandeur even though the house is quite compact.”
Although Dune House’s internal timber structure has been largely preserved, the facade has been updated with improved insulation and thermowood cladding.
Solar panels have been installed on the roof, hidden behind the eaves that have been raised while echoing the original roofline. There is also a groundwater heat pump and solar boiler system that heat the home and the outdoor swimming pool.
OYO Architects is a studio based in Ghent and established in 2011 by Eddy Soete, Nigel Jooren, Veroniek Vanhaecke and Lies Willaert.
The studio’s previous works include House Dede that centres around a timber spiral staircase and a wedge-shaped house with a sloping green roof.
The photography is by Karen Van der Biest.
