Skatchkoff house
Skatchkoff house is a detached passive house on the outskirts of Kortrijk.
The design brings together two memories in a crystalline form: the saw tooth structure of the local textile industry, and the wood texture of the dacha in the client’s homeland Russia.
The house is mainly organized on the ground floor, in function of maximum accessibility for the plucky, but somewhat older, resident. The design sustains life-long living, but in an inverted manner: today, it is ideal for a single person, with room for an indwelling help in time, but it includes the future possibility to expand to the front side for a family with children.
Furthermore, the house is implanted in such way that, on the west side, a twin accommodation can be built.
The essence of the design is the sculptural saw tooth roof - ideal for the reception of passive solar heat to the south - and the central core which structures the plan and houses all ventilation techniques. All other rooms lay in a free and flexible plan around this core. The varied height of the roof form creates a changing perception of the spaces and at the highest point, provides room for a secretive attic.
The construction and cladding consist entirely of wood and was manufactured by CNC technology. This allowed the complete structure to be completed -wind and rainproof- within a few weeks, while construction details were used that go back to ancient knowledge. All interior joinery was designed specifically for this house and consists of a subdued but warm material palette. The carefully detailed and tactile interior enters into a dialogue with the pragmatic and rather basic look of the exterior.
Design: 2006-2007
status: completed
program: 140 m²
site: B-8500 Kortrijk
budget: € 190.000
