Using the site as a breeding ground for innovative ideas leading to sparkling architecture, Delmulle Delmulle creates harmony between the house and its location, using the existing structure as inspiration.

This minimalist home was designed by Delmulle Delmulle in Ghent, Belgium. Next to it is a residence built by Marie-José Van Hee, who was inspired by Johannes Vermeer's “Het Straatje” (often referred to as “The Little Street”). 

The design team shared that the 3,433 square foot Pluim house was designed strictly based on the preconditions of the surroundings. This was meant to maintain and strengthen the dialogue between Delmulle Delmulle's new creation and Van Hee's work.

An oasis of lush greenery is located at the back of Pluim's main building, surrounded by gray tiled walls and a white perforated sliding door. Pluim's front garden is a buffer between the street and the adjacent house, allowing sunlight to enter. Landscape architecture elements create a subtle balance between differentiation and integration in the building. In the backyard, the living space is sandwiched in the middle of plants, air, and natural light to create a bubble of relaxation.

A four-meter-high first floor creates a pedestal-like base for the upper level. It contains a wheelchair-accessible hospital room with a bathroom and an in-house office that overlooks both courtyard gardens.

Next, you'll see a transparent cube on the second floor with other bedrooms and personal spaces. It's topped off with thinly sliced wooden panels for the ceiling and divided by sliding doors like Japanese shoji screens inspired by them. Delmulle Delmulle also extended the second floor outward to create a midsized garden that serves as both a patio and a balcony. 

Offering panoramic views of the city, Pluim's shared living space is situated on the third floor of the house. Sunlight flooding in through fills the entire level, complementing its elegant interiors. 

The warm characteristics of wood with the sleek nature of stainless steel make a winning combo for the kitchen. Delmulle Delmulle uses this duo to create a balanced atmosphere of modern industrial cookery for Pluim. Across from the kitchen is an open plan consisting of a dining set, lounge seating and a piano, topped with a bookshelf. By sharing the same shade of subdued mallard green for the carpet and the sofa, the continuity of the shade flows naturally, adding personality to the space. Taking a classic combo and giving it a pop of colour, Delmulle Delmulle adds a touch of crimson red to the dining chairs. Opposing one another on the color wheel, green and red are often considered to be natural complements.

Throughout, Pluim opens onto the side and the sky, resulting in a well-lit, peaceful abode that is surrounded by greenery from surrounding plantings and offers a breathtaking view of Ghent’s skyline. 

Photo: Johnny Umans