Circular Brick House With Rammed Earth Wall / AST 77 Architecten

Architects: AST 77 Architecten
Area: 250 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Steven Massart, Maarten De Bouw, Philippe Van den Panhuyzen, Thomas Noceto
Manufacturers: BC materials, Bealstone, Metsawood, Quooker, Sapa, VANDERSANDEN, Verventa
Stability Engineer: Yuvico, UTIL Struktuurstudies
Contractor Interior: Inter ID
Architect: Peter Van Impe, Evelien Broeckx
Interior Architect: Jordi Gijzen, Marijke Peeters
City: Tienen
Country: Belgium

Circular Brick House with Rammed Earth Wall by AST77 Architecten, located in Tienen, Belgium, was designed by architect Peter Van Impe with a focus on circularity. The five-story home centers around a 40 cm-thick, 15-meter-high rammed earth wall, built without binders or reinforcement and inspired by the work of rammed-earth expert Martin Rauch. Collaborating with BC Studies and Het Leemniscaat, Van Impe used excavated site soil for the wall and selected materials like brick, steel, concrete, glass, and wood to ensure they could be dismantled and reused. The house prioritizes flexibility and sustainable design, intended as a “material bank” with minimal wet joints to allow for easy recovery. Situated within a residential development on the site of a former boarding school, the house faces an 11-hectare park with a western glass façade that blends privacy with views of surrounding greenery.

Circular Brick House with Rammed Earth Wall / AST 77 Architecten

Architect Peter Van Impe of AST77 designed his own home in Tienen, Belgium, exploring advanced approaches to circularity for this project.

A central feature of the circular design is a striking rammed earth wall, standing 15 meters high and 40 centimeters thick. This wall, which anchors all five floors, is built using an ancient technique without binders or reinforcement. Although it appears solid, it remains inherently fragile; exposure to water would reduce it back to mud or soil.

On a study trip to Austria, architect Peter Van Impe discovered the work of Martin Rauch, a renowned rammed-earth expert, artist, and researcher, which became the initial inspiration for this project. This encounter led Van Impe to seek out local rammed-earth specialists for assistance. Collaborating with BC studies and Het Leemniscaat, he chose to use the excavated earth from the basement site as the primary structural material for the house, combining it with bricks, steel, concrete, glass, and wood.

All additional building materials were selected with circularity in mind. The house itself functions as a deconstructable material bank, with materials used in their “raw” state wherever possible. Minimal reliance on wet joints facilitates non-destructive dismantling, allowing materials to be easily recovered and reused without downcycling, preserving their purity and potential for future applications.

When discussing circular thinking and construction, adaptable design and the selection of suitable materials and construction techniques are essential. To embody this approach, the architect opted for a solid, robust base structure paired with an airy, open interior—a single expansive space. The goal was to create maximum interior flexibility, allowing the space to adapt and evolve with the changing housing needs of both current and future residents.

The project is situated within a residential development on the grounds of a former Provincial boarding school. The house follows an innovative development plan created by B-architects in partnership with OMGEVING. The master plan organizes six residential zones, each with a distinct character and tailored housing types, arranged around an athletics track that serves as a central green gathering area.

Architect Peter Van Impe selected a plot at the western end of a continuous row of 12 townhouses for his home, offering expansive views over the 11-hectare public park and its ponds. The house’s western facade is fully glazed, allowing the interior to seamlessly merge with the natural surroundings on every floor. Externally, the reflective glass offers privacy while mirroring the nearby poplar trees, creating a striking visual for passersby. These trees also provide a natural screen, softening the effects of the low evening sun.