House CM Sint-Truiden / MASS Architects

Architects: MASS Architects
Location: Sint-Truiden, Belgium
Design Team: Massimo Pignanelli, Deborah Holthuizen
Area: 340.0 sqm
Year: 2013
Photographs: Philippe Van Gelooven

Surveyor: Bielen-Defays bvba
Contractor : Bouwonderneming Tim Voets bvba
Timber And Building Materials: Houtgroep van Drimmelen BV_NL
Energy Regulation: STETO bvba
Electrical Works: Jonathan Princiotta bvba
Plumbing: MVS, Jurgen Moors
Roofing: Tony Kuypers bvba
Exterior Wood Work: ALU2+ bvba
Furniture: Hout & Meubel bvba
Pool: Zeydon Epoxy Pools_NL
Engineering: AB associates
Safety Coordinator : STETO bvba
Budget: 550.000,00 excl VAT

From the architect. Concrete sculpture set in the landscape.

The living area of this single-storey home is deliberately concentrated within this square so that the rest of the property remains “untouched“ and is incorporated into its natural environment. A perpendicular line splits the constructed triangle into a further 2 parts. The right side – the night zone – is fitted with secondary functions. The left side is the living zone and has been left as ‘open’ as possible.

The back of the house, or diagonal line, is made entirely out of sliding and fixed glass panels that incorporate the terrace completely into the home, and all adjoining rooms enjoy an uninterrupted view of the landscape. Privacy is ensured by a sloped wall that encloses the terrace and gradually blends into the landscape.

On the one hand concrete was chosen as an honest, durable material and therefore left as visibly exposed as possible. On the other hand concrete was used to create a compact home with long-term, responsible low-energy consumption. The home is architectural concrete cast in situ, an irreversible process, with all the details worked out meticulously beforehand. A good working relationship and open dialogue with the concrete contractor, civil engineering firm and client also added value to the project.

Extremely smooth formwork panels were sought for the construction which produced a perfect result. The interior walls and hollow-core slabs were left visible and complimented with a concrete floor and long dining table in the same material. Two domes cast in concrete guide light into the interior. The exterior woodwork is completely concealed behind the concrete, creating a frameless view.