Belgian architect, king of luxurious simplicity, art director of Molteni&C/Dada and Sahco, Vincent van Duysen is the author of memorable private residences. Modern minimalism is his main style. It was with his help and with the help of Axel Vervoordt that Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West transformed their Californian estate into an “otherworldly” oasis of purity and light.
One of Van Duysen’s projects, VO Residence, is located in the seaside town of Knokke. The house is located next to the Royal Golf Course in a wealthy resort known for its gabled “dachas” and modernist villas. The typical villas in Knokke were always built in a cottage style and are distinguished by their white brick facades, painted shutters and dormer windows – small structures that protrude vertically above the main roof.
Van Duysen was born in Lokeren, Belgium in 1962. He received a degree in architecture from the Higher Institute of Architecture Sant-Lucas, Ghent. Afterward he worked in Milan in collaboration with Aldo Cibic and then with Jean De Meulder in Antwerp, practicing minimalism and developing Belgian design.
Vincent Van Duysen Architects was founded in 1990 and today it has grown into a team of over twenty employees. Projects range from product design for numerous international brands, to commercial and larger-scale architectural projects, with a focus on luxury residences.
VO Residence is a contemporary family home and a stylish interpretation of the archetypal Knokke villa. The house overlooks a field and the protected private gardens designed by Martin Wirtz. The large, whitewashed brick volumes stand out simply and effectively in the natural green landscape. Above is a large thatched roof, toit de chaume, typical not only of Belgium but also of French Brittany and Holland.
Massive monolithic brick volumes form a spatial and functional composition. The building is open to the environment, surrounded by greenery and, at the same time, reliably protected by massive brickwork. Cement finishing in an ivory shade connects the exterior with the interior.
Few windows enhance the continuity. The large thatched roof creates a sense of security and enclosure, providing privacy. The main house is completed by a terrace, an outdoor swimming pool and an adjacent pool pavilion.
In keeping with the minimalist style, the interior is carefully thought out. The elegant and refined palette is in tension with the rough thatched roof and the texture of the cement plaster on the interior walls. Depending on the mood, different finishing options bring subtle nuances to the diversity of the interior.
The large living room's double-height timber ceiling contrasts with the natural wood kitchen, while the smooth wood finish offsets the textured walls. Meanwhile, the botanical wallpaper in the home office and master bedroom creates a softer, more intimate feel to this private retreat. Custom furniture and furnishings complete the sophisticated ambience.
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