The client purchased a house in Sint-Michiels, designed by the modernist architect Huib Hoste (1881−1957). Built in 1923, this residence is one of Hoste's early modernist projects and is listed as architectural heritage.
Interestingly, the nearby primary school was also designed by Hoste.
Hoste designed the house for a carpenter, with the workshop and storage spaces located in the 'sous sol' extending into the garden at the rear. The family lived on the elevated ground floor (bel étage) above.
The previous owner had barely used the former workshop space, which was entirely cut off from the rest of the house. This disconnection, along with the poor condition of the property, deterred potential buyers.
However, the client immediately saw the potential: "If we could open up the former workshop and connect it with the living areas upstairs, it would add significant value."
The solution lay in one simple design intervention—though in practice, it required quite a bit of problem-solving, especially to establish a connection to the garden on the ground floor and make it accessible.
Specifically, part of the floor slab between the living level on the first floor and the 'sous sol' workshop was removed, creating a crucial link between the two levels.
This effectively doubled the living space: the sitting area and office were located in the 'sous sol', while the kitchen and dining area were on the first floor.
This intervention allowed natural light to penetrate deep into the house, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
A defining feature of the home is the sequence of rooms arranged around a uniquely designed staircase. This arrangement follows a split-level system, with rooms on half-levels, a structure that is clearly visible from the front façade.
The renovation continued this spatial system, staying true to the original design intent of the house. In doing so, the renovation was carried out as much as possible in the spirit of the original architect, Huib Hoste.
