The story of the Omloop project is, above all, the story of a family home. Ann and Marc bought this farmhouse in the Pajottenland region in the 1990s. It is here that their two daughters grew up and where many memories were made. Over time, the family has changed; the two daughters have left home and now the parents are rethinking their living space, where they hope to spend their twilight years.

From the very first sketch, the couple envisaged embarking on a sustainable renovation project focused on the relationship with the natural environment, which is currently under-utilised in the existing house. The intervention therefore seeks to re-establish this connection with nature by opening the house up more to the surrounding landscape.

The typology of the traditional Flemish farmhouse is re-examined. Although very common in the Belgian landscape, it no longer meets current energy standards. The approach is to reduce the heated volume of the house by transforming it into a more compact form. Thus, the former bedrooms of the two daughters become a conservatory. An unheated interior space situated beneath the gabled roof, offering views of the landscape. The terracotta tile roof has been removed to make way for large bay windows in the sloping roof. These new windows can be opened to naturally ventilate the conservatory. The wall separating it from the heated part is made of rammed earth and insulated with hemp. It contributes to the home’s comfort thanks to its thermal mass. In summer, it cools the space, whilst in winter, it warms it by releasing the heat accumulated during the day at night. A wood-burning stove replaces the old fuel-fired boiler and becomes the new heart of the home.

By choosing to begin the project with a critical analysis of the existing house, the project further explores the idea of sustainable living. The layout is re-examined, leading to a new division between heated and unheated spaces. The result is a radical project that compacts the existing house. The girls’ bedrooms are reduced to minimal units, freeing up space for communal areas. In a house with strong sentimental value, Hé ! Architectuur has succeeded in challenging the owners to shape an ambitious project together. Within these very walls that have seen the family grow up, the house is transformed to welcome new memories.