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PANORAMA HOUSE D&G
Sint-Eloois-WinkelLiving in harmony with the landscape
The existing house and outbuildings on Moorseelsestraat were part of a compact cluster in an agricultural area. Although the house was still structurally sound, it no longer met contemporary housing and energy standards. Therefore, a complete reconstruction was chosen, respecting the original layout.
More than three-quarters of the new structures overlap with the existing buildings, thereby preserving continuity in the landscape. At the same time, the house is positioned slightly further back on the lot so that it aligns better with the building line of the surrounding structures.
The design draws on the site’s inherent qualities: open views to the west, a slightly elevated central portion of the lot, and a natural buffer from the street. These features have not been obscured but rather enhanced.
The house and the outbuilding are conceived as two low, horizontal volumes with flat roofs. They nestle into the landscape and open up as much as possible toward the garden and the open fields. On the street side, a more enclosed and sheltered atmosphere is created, with a patio and a green garden wall that provide privacy and acoustic buffering.
The living spaces face south and west, with wide glass sections that bring the landscape inside. Overhangs and canopies provide shade and define a clear architectural line.
Around the house, there is a strong focus on reducing hard surfaces and promoting biodiversity. Existing paving is minimized and replaced with permeable materials. A new wadi, wide hedgerows, and varied plantings featuring native species reinforce the site’s agricultural character.
Project information
| Project |
Project
Rebuilding a non-conforming home with an outbuilding |
|---|---|
| Program |
Program Single-family home with 3 bedrooms, outbuilding with garage, storage room, recreation room, and basement; swimming pool and terraces |
| Location |
Location
Moorseelsestraat 22, 8880 Sint-Eloois-Winkel |
| Client |
Client
Peter Desmedt – Liesbeth Goderis |
| LINK LAB MEMBERS |
LINK LAB MEMBERS
US
|
| Gross floor area |
Gross floor area
Residence: ±285 m² – Outbuilding: ±247 m² |
| STATUS |
STATUS
Permitted 2026 |
Site
Along Moorseelsestraat, in the open countryside of Sint-Eloois-Winkel, lies a deep lot nestled among scattered detached homes and expansive meadows. The proximity to the E403 makes the location both visible and vulnerable: open to the west, but exposed to noise and wind.
The existing structures—a house with adjoining barns—formed a single compact cluster on the site. The surrounding landscape is flat, agricultural, and offers little shelter. Solitary trees and wooded edges provide rhythm and scale within the vast field.
The reconstruction builds on that landscape logic: not building more, but organizing more clearly.
Concept
Two horizontal volumes together form an ensemble around a sheltered patio. The house opens up as much as possible to the west and south, while presenting a more closed facade to the north and the street side. This creates a gradation from public to private.
The garden wall on the street side does not function as a hard boundary, but as an integrated architectural element. Combined with vegetation, it forms a green filter that ensures privacy and tranquility without losing the open character of the surroundings.
Site Plan
The new residence (approx. 285 m²) and the outbuilding (approx. 247 m²) are situated at virtually the same location as the existing structures. At least 75% of the original footprint is retained, in accordance with regulations for non-zoned residences.
The cluster is retained but refined and rearranged into two distinct volumes surrounding a sheltered outdoor space.
The residence is set back slightly from the street. This creates space for a green front yard and allows the building to blend more seamlessly into the streetscape. The subtle difference in elevation between the lot and street level is utilized to create privacy without the need for hard barriers.
While the street-facing side remains relatively closed off, the design opens up toward the west and south. The living spaces are oriented toward the landscape and the evening light. A patio on the east side serves as a quiet outdoor room that filters out traffic and the highway.
Architectural Choices
The architecture is understated and powerful. Both volumes are low and horizontal, with a sleek flat roof and a distinct cornice.
The home is constructed using light gray smooth concrete panels, combined with brown-gray aluminum exterior joinery. Vertical divisions in the concrete panels are echoed in the joinery, creating a subtle rhythm in the facades
Overhangs, canopies, and delicate zinc roof edges refine the overall design. The material palette is robust and honest, yet with contemporary detailing that gives the project a serene, timeless appearance.
