Belgian architecture firm Studio Okami Architects has built brick private villa embedded in the landscape to offer infinite views over the valley of Mont-de-l'Enclus in Belgium.

Called Sloped Villa, the 273-square-metre villa features very clean and flexible internal layout and finishes in materiality. The architects described the project with "two simple words on a plain elevation drawing: "invisible house" and a scale figure with some greenery.  

Its brick colonnaded exterior hides the spaces in the interior and it is only perceived as a brick shell from outside. The studio explained that "It took two years to convince city council to build this “absent” house on a slope." 

"The client, who bought this desolate land on a hill, asked us if it was even possible to build something that deviated from the traditional rules which applied to the plot… “To be clear” he continued, “we build for ourselves, not for the architecture magazines, ok?."

The building regulations were very clear for the building: sloping roof, predefined window sizes, local brick. The client said: "we want none of that". 

"We love the view to much to be constricted by predefined window sizes, we love the way nature shifts trough the seasons on this plot, we love the tranquility and are huge fans of rough concrete," said the client. 

"It would be mostly for the two of us enjoying the sunrise over the valley, but make sure our four adult kids can stay over anytime."

As the architects highlight, the brief was clear, as where the numerous evenings where they sat philosophizing about the new house. "We have the habit to shock our clients in with an extreme pre-design with the intention to provoke a deeper conversation about their true needs," added the studio. 

"Each time reinventing the design approach based on the specific needs of the client, unexpected but very precisely modeled to their brief."

All the program elements are solved in a simple rectangular plan. The most common areas, such as living room and kitchen, offer views towards the valley. 

By using the sloped terrain to hide the project, the city council was convinced to step away from the traditional regulations, allowing the client his dream for infinite views over the valley. Within the building precinct the terrain was elevated, folded open, to allow for a 273-square-metre single floor villa to be hidden in plain sight. 

Deep inside the slope a patio provides the cave-like bedrooms with air, light and tempered vistas throughout. Everyday living takes place in a loft-like space, with ceiling to floor windows painting the magnificent landscape to the beholders eye. 

The flexibility of the space is anchored by the fire place and a kitchen island which is presented as a piece of oversized furniture. Unobstructed circulation paths outside and in, allow for the habitants to experience the space and its surroundings while defined by the colonnade making the slope readable from every angle. 

The materials have been carefully matched to harmonize in to a powerful yet tranquil composition, a tactile ton-sur-ton color scheme is accentuated by the ever changing greenery of the plot.

Location plan

Roof plan

Floor plan

Section

Site section

North-east elevation

North-west elevation

Project facts

Project name: Sloped Villa

Architects: Studio Okami Architects

Location: Mont-de-l'Enclus, Belgium.

Size: 273m2

Date: 2019 

All images © Filip Dujardin

All drawings © Studio Okami Architects

> via Studio Okami Architects