Brussels studio Madam Architectuur has renovated and extended a bungalow near Aalst, updating its exterior with bright red-painted timber that is "striking yet modest".
Named Charlotte, the low-slung home was built on the outskirts of a nature reserve in the 1990s but lacked a relationship with its surroundings.
Madam Architectuur has renovated a bungalow near Aalst
Madam Architectuur reconfigured and extended the concrete structure to improve its connection to a patio at its centre and enlarged its windows to introduce expansive landscape views.
Its exterior has also been reclad in timber painted a shade of red called Falu, which originated in Sweden to mimic red-brick buildings.
The exterior is clad with red-painted timber "The house is located on the edge of a nature reserve but is only a 10-minute bike ride from the centre of Aalst," said Madam Architectuur co-founder Door Smits.
"It is designed to really let nature enter," Smits continued."The existing bungalow had a number of nice elements, but the organisation and spaciousness inside were not quite right."
The main living spaces look out to the landscape and inner courtyard
Charlotte's bedrooms previously occupied the area of the home with the best views of the landscape and so Madam Architectuur relocated these into a small extension.
In their place, the studio has created a large living, dining and kitchen area to take advantage of dual-aspect views of the outside and the int...