Dezeen Magazine

House Wiva by Open Y Office

Ghent studio Open Y Office has extended a house in Belgium, adding a concrete structure that could also function as a standalone residence (+ slideshow).

House Wiva by Oyo

Located in the town of Herent, the extension was designed by Open Y Office with stark concrete walls that contrast against the white-painted brick exterior of the old house, which is a converted post office.

House Wiva by Oyo

"The inhabitants wanted an extension that was flexible enough to be transformed in time to a separate unit with its own bed and bathroom," said the architects.

House Wiva by Oyo

The volume of the building appears as two rectangular boxes stacked on top of one another, with the upper storey slightly overlapping the ground floor below.

House Wiva by Oyo

An open-plan living area occupies the first floor and overlooks a garden with a new swimming pool.

House Wiva by Oyo

A glass passageway leads through to the existing house, plus large timber-framed windows open the room out to a long and narrow balcony.

House Wiva by Oyo

The ground floor below contains storage areas and a garage with timber panelled doors.

House Wiva by Oyo

Concrete steps with a steel balustrade lead into the house via an entrance on the first floor.

House Wiva by Oyo

Other residential extensions we've recently featured include a London home with a walk-on glass roof and an extension in Dublin covered with terracotta tiles that look like bricks.

House Wiva by Oyo

See more residential extensions »
See more architecture and design in Belgium »

House Wiva by Oyo

Photography is by Tom Janssens.

House Wiva by Oyo

Here's a short description from the architects:


House Wiva

This OYO story takes you to Herent, where the extension of a private residence captures its surroundings.

House Wiva by Oyo

The inhabitants wanted an extension that was flexible enough to be transformed in time to a separate unit with its own bed and bathroom.

House Wiva by Oyo

OYO emphasised the contrast between the new shape and the old volume, which used to be an post office. You can see the concrete floating above the garden.

House Wiva by Oyo

From the point of view of the residents, the extension creates exciting views from the new living room. The two volumes are connected with a light wooden footbridge that functions as entrance but also clarifies the different volumes.

House Wiva by Oyo

Architects: OYO - Open Y Office
Location: Herent, Belgium
Type: Single family house extension
Area: House extension 110 m2
Year: 2010

House Wiva by Oyo
Site plan - click for larger image
House Wiva by Oyo
Ground floor plan - click for larger image and key
House Wiva by Oyo
First floor plan - click for larger image and key
House Wiva by Oyo
Sections - click for larger image
House Wiva by Oyo
North elevation - click for larger image
House Wiva by Oyo
East elevation - click for larger image
House Wiva by Oyo
South elevation - click for larger image