An underground lair modelled on an exclusive nightclub lies below this riverside bachelor pad near Ghent, where the owner has built-in cigar and wine storage, a car lift and a view into the depths of the pool.

Belgian studio Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects designed the residence for a single man in his forties on a plot beside the Leie river in Sint-Martens-Latem, just southeast of Ghent.

Planes of concrete fold around a pool in the centre of the plot to form the residence. Daytime spaces are placed around its edge at ground level, with large glazed facades allowing the owner to appreciate views of the pool and river.

A pool house with timber siding sits to one side of the primary living spaces, and extendable shutters can be drawn across the gap between to block views from passing boaters.
"Many boats reduce throttle or come to a full stop to gaze upon a residence, quite different from the other houses along the river,"said Benny Govaert and Damiaan Vanhoutte, who named the project Residence VDB. "Amidst a golf terrain-like garden lies a sculptural concrete bachelor pad, grafted on the lifestyle of its owner."

"The view from the river shows a long floating horizontal concrete framework that defines the ground floor, inside as well as outside," they explained.

Perched above, a smaller concrete block contains a master suite, and two further bedrooms and bathrooms.
A roof terrace adjoining the master bedroom has a sunken floor, creat...