A Crumbling Home Is Revived Around a Massive Tree Trunk
Transformed on a tight budget, a decrepit brick structure in Ghent breathes new life as a treehouse-like abode.
When Belgian musician and artist Jan Vandecasteele bought an old corner house property in Ghent, he saw promise in the building despite its decayed state.
"The house was completely rotten," says Atelier Vens Vanbelle, the local architecture firm Vandecasteele tapped for the design of the new atelier and home. "A very drastic renovation was needed to make his dream come true."
The owner uses the ground floor as a studio for art and music.
Tim Van de Velde
Besides rotten floorboards, the project also had a challenging budget of just 150,000 Euros—half the amount needed for a normal renovation, notes the firm. Yet, the intrepid architects took on the project with gusto and were given "carte blanche" with the design.
Large wood-framed windows flood the interior with natural light while openings in the walls give the home a porous character.
Tim Van de Velde
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The view from the kitchen to the living area above and atelier below.
Tim Van de Velde
Unimpressed by the small existing rooms and decayed interior, the architects completely gutted the multi-story building that originally contained two floors and an attic. The brick façade was restored and the roof was completely replaced.
The nearly 40-foot-long oak tree trunk was craned into place through the roof.
Courtesy Atelier Vens Vanbelle
The building’s pentagonal plan was reshaped into a series of split-levels that spiral around an unusual choice of a support structure—a nearly 40-foot-tall oak tree trunk.
"The tree was a logical and affordable solution, and it immediately gave the right atmosphere to the new home," explain the architects of the nearly 2,100-square-foot dwelling, named Kartasan House after Vandecasteele’s music group.
The architects gutted the interior and inserted new floors in a spiral formation around the central support of the oak tree trunk.
Courtesy Atelier Vens Vanbelle
"This led to an open interior space without interior walls in the living areas. The bathroom, kitchen, entrance, and storage/laundry room were compiled in a vertical volume."
"The column had to be affordable and nice to look at," note the architects. "So we bought a tree and put it right in the middle of the building. Between the tree and the facade, we have created new floors which are built in a spiral around the tree. This results in a very dynamic and open space."
Tim Van de Velde
Here's a look at the spiraling floors. Note the owner's white cat peering down from above.
Tim Van de Velde
The new oak floors are connected by sets of stairs of varying sizes, all of which are also built from oak. The public spaces, including the atelier, are placed on the ground floor, while the private areas are tucked into the upper levels.
Two bedrooms are located in the attic.
Tim Van de Velde
A peek inside a mosaic-tiled bathroom with a soaking tub.
Tim Van de Velde
"Because the new floors were randomly positioned according to the existing windows, exciting vistas and lighting conditions were created," add the architects.
Above the atelier are the kitchen, dining room, and living room—each placed on a separate floor.
Tim Van de Velde
The interior brick was painted white and paired with white plaster walls for a clean finish. A large courtyard-facing window was added in the dining room.
Tim Van de Velde
In the kitchen, the original unpainted brick can be glimpsed. The floors are polyurethane.
Tim Van de Velde
A view from above down to the ground floor. Safety railings were kept simple so as to not detract from the minimalist aesthetic.
Tim Van de Velde
In replacing the roof, the architects also added a small viewing deck (not pictured) that overlooks the park in front of the house.
Tim Van de Velde
Kartasan House floor plans and sections
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Atelier Vens Vanbelle (@ateliervensvanbelle)
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