Corniche House / OPEN ARCHITECTES

Architects: OPEN ARCHITECTES
Area: 520 m²
Year: 2022
Photography: Utku Pekli
Landscape Architects: Archi’Vert
Structural Engineering: Artuur Engineering
Construction: Artea
PEB: Homeco
Integrated Furniture: Desize
City: Braine-l’Alleud
Country: Belgium

Corniche House, a residential project by OPEN ARCHITECTES in Brain l’Alleud, Belgium, is designed as a serene and private family retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Completed in 2022, this home is nestled on the outskirts of the capital, offering a peaceful green setting ideal for a growing family. The design carefully integrates the house into the landscape, preserving existing trees and maximizing views, while featuring simple volumetry and controlled outdoor spaces that enhance the family’s connection to nature. The architecture thoughtfully considers familial bonds, providing spaces that foster both autonomy for the children as they mature and a sense of closeness and togetherness for the entire family. This balance between independence and connectivity is central to the design, reflecting a deep understanding of family dynamics and the importance of intimacy within the home.

For this project, the natural elements of the site, including trees, views, slope, and orientation, heavily influenced the design approach. The architects prioritized minimizing environmental impact while preserving the essence of the location. The house is situated where a former tennis court once existed, taking advantage of the previously leveled area. This space, now resembling a natural clearing, serves as the focal point of the project, with a “controlled” central nature surrounded by a lush environment of undergrowth, ivy, and ferns.

The structure features a simple, flat-roofed volume placed atop a plinth, creating a terrace that follows the sun’s path throughout the day. The plinth merges with the site’s topography, remaining invisible from public spaces and forming the core of the project. Clad in beige stone with a tapered band, the plinth firmly anchors the building to the terrain. The day volume is partially hidden by glazed frames and semi-reflective matte glazing, blending seamlessly with the surrounding vegetation, with only the roof’s horizontal fascia visible, appearing to levitate above the landscape.

The house’s layout revolves around a “controlled” outdoor space, including a swimming pool. The “night” volume is located at the base of the slope near the former sports field, allowing the base to vanish into the landscape. The day volume overlooks the clearing, with terraces extending from the living room onto the roof of the plinth. The plinth is U-shaped, conforming to the land’s contours and creating a secluded central space. This privacy is further enhanced by retaining walls, which shield the heart of the home from public view. Mature trees complete the setting, adding character and filtering light through their foliage.