PROJECT

Villa Deinze

ARCHITECT

Pascal Bilquin

CONTRACTOR

Bouw-iD

FACING BRICK

linea 7036
linea7 7036 (ECO-7-size)

BOND

Wild bond

Grey-green traditional joint of 12 mm

Photos: Nicolas Vantomme, Thibault De Schepper
Text: Bouw-iD

Pascal Bilquin and Guy Speltdooren have known each other for years. They regularly collaborate on projects—Bilquin as an architect, Speltdooren as the managing director of total contractor Bouw-iD. Recently, the duo completed a remarkable family home on the banks of the Leie in Deinze, Belgium. The result is a masterclass in control and precision, inspired by nature, where each space offers a different experience. “It’s a house with multiple dimensions, where at times you see a lot, and at times very little.”

Merged with nature

The house is situated on a sloping plot that descends towards the Leie at the back. From the front, it appears relatively static. Like a brick screen, the building shields itself from the street, largely concealed by lush vegetation. Except for a window on the upper floor, there is hardly any view inside. Even the glass entrance door is hidden behind shrubbery. “The idea was to fully integrate the home into nature,” says Bilquin. “You shouldn’t feel any boundaries here. That’s why we closely collaborated with landscape architect Aldrik Heirman, who designed a kind of wild park garden. At the front, the garden is rugged and densely planted; at the back, it’s more open, creating a different effect through the undulations in the terrain. The house almost moves along with the changing landscape.”

The lush nature contrasts with the building’s strict lines while simultaneously blending into it. With its green-brown brick and dynamic volumetric design, the house folds into the greenery. The shifting volumes add rhythm and layering to the architecture. Sometimes, the composition results in large overhangs that create shaded spots and capture the sun; other times, it forms intimate zones where one can enjoy the outdoors. “The facades arose from the fragmentation and functionality of the house,” explains the architect. “It’s quite a massive building, but by shifting the volumes, it still feels light. Additionally, nature is playful and plastic, balancing the rigidity. Inside, you get the same effect: natural materials like natural stone and walnut create tranquility and reinforce the connection to the outdoors. There are also green roofs everywhere, making it seem as if nature continues to grow into the home.”

Collaboration is key

Upon entering, you immediately catch a glimpse of the garden. From the entrance hall, you can see through the house. “First, there is light, then a sense of security, then transparency,” Bilquin explains. “Human logic determines the shape of a building. Essentially, we still live as we did in prehistoric times. Back then, people lived in a cave with a single opening for light. In the evening, they made a fire and gathered around it. That principle hasn’t changed—cohabitation hasn’t changed. We still sit around that fire, only now the setting is much more refined.”

The main functions on the ground floor are woven around a central core that houses the technical systems and the staircase to the upper floor. This allows you to move around the house fluidly. Large windows frame the surrounding nature. Functions are partially connected, without immediately revealing everything. Sliding doors offer the possibility to compartmentalize spaces. Around every corner, wall, or cabinet, there is something new to discover, such as a desk integrated into the central core or an open kitchen that can be closed off for a more intimate experience. “You can adjust the atmosphere depending on the space, the situation, or the time of day,” says Speltdooren. “The house offers its residents possibilities. They can use it in different ways. A home should work for you. It should feel natural. Of course, aesthetics are important, but above all, you have to be able to live in it.”

“A project like this can only be realized if all parties collaborate closely,” Bilquin adds. “I am still amazed every day at the amount of trust you receive as an architect. Building involves a lot of money. You delve so deeply into people’s private lives. There is no other profession quite like it.”

“The interaction between the client, architect, and contractor determines everything,” Speltdooren agrees. “Here, everyone was fully aligned, and then it works. That’s not always easy. We are designers and builders, but also psychologists and sociologists. In our industry, you need a great ability to put things into perspective. That’s often underestimated. You build to improve someone’s life. You want to make people happy. That can only happen if a project is given the space to grow. Sometimes it’s challenging, you encounter obstacles, things go wrong. But you have to support each other in finding solutions. You need to make room for each other’s ideas and considerations. That way, you take care of each other and unburden each other. When everyone is on the same page, it becomes a beautiful story—just like this one.”