"Designed by Vi.architectuuratelier, De Zwarte Fles office renovation stands on the village square of Zwijnaarde near Gent, Belgium and brings new working life to a former country house shaped by four centuries of change. The project combines a restoration with a compact office addition fronted by a decorative facade, allowing the historic building to return to a residential presence while supporting a contemporary studio program."
"Dating from 1616, the house carried layers from its time as a residence and later as a café restaurant. Past alterations focused on masking wear rather than strengthening architectural coherence, while extensive paving wrapped the building to serve outdoor seating. The renovation set out to recover the original character of the house and reestablish its role within the streetscape of Zwijnaarde."
"Working on the existing structure in Belgium, Vi.architectuuratelier focused on preservation paired with selective upgrades. Interior insulation improves thermal performance, while new joinery delivers contemporary comfort. Window proportions, rhythms, and color tones follow historic patterns, maintaining a visual continuity that reads clearly from the square. Inside, material choices shape a composed atmosphere. Earthy surfaces and restrained textures support a calm spatial experience. A central fireplace volume remains a defining feature, integrated into a revised plan that supports daily use."
De Zwarte Fles renovation sits on Zwijnaarde village square near Gent, Belgium, converting a former country house shaped by four centuries into new working life. Dating from 1616, the house served as a residence and café restaurant; past alterations masked wear rather than reinforcing architectural coherence. The intervention combines restoration with a compact office addition fronted by a decorative façade, while upgrades—interior insulation and new joinery—respect window proportions, rhythms, and historic color tones to maintain visual continuity with the square. Earthy surfaces, restrained textures, and a central fireplace create a calm interior atmosphere and reconnect the building with its immediate ground.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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