Architecture Wednesday: Belgium Brutalist

At first glance, this 1979 Brutalist home—from the exterior—looks lovely, sited in a meadow surrounded by trees outside Heverlee, a town in the borough of Leuven in Belgium. But then, as you enter it becomes quite severe and stern, minimalist and institutional, not like a schoolhouse but like the place Hollywood sent Frances Farmer to back in the day.

The architect focused on the aesthetics of concrete elements, like cast concrete and visible raw concrete bricks, to give a powerful and sustainable appearance to the home. But then the many large windows offer a beautiful view of greenery as an extension of the house itself; from every corner of the house you can enjoy breathtaking views and a feeling of peace and serenity. 

On the ground floor there is a hallway, office space, living room, with a dining room and kitchen up a small flight of stairs. The architect used different levels and openness between each levels to create a sense of openness. Also note the many fixed wooden interior elements such as cupboards, drawers and other storage options. Climb another small set of stairs to find the five bedrooms and bathrooms. 

This is a unique example of pure brutalism which is aesthetically beautiful and yet at the same time focused on function. While the location is great: in the fields and forests yet close to modern amenities. And to be fair, the home needs an upgrade to contemporary comfort standards, but the unique Brutalist concept, while not everyone’s cup of tea, has been beautifully retained.

The Spaces