The kitchen renovation features an understated material palette of stainless steel and Afrormosia wood.
Lore De Baere has revived the mid-century modernist home of a renowned Belgian architect with the intention of preserving its original blueprint.
Designed for and by renowned Belgian architect Georges Vandenbussche in 1969 in Tielt, Belgium, Villa Vandenbussche is a historically significant example of mid-century modernist architecture. Inspired by light-filled 1920s Californian homes, the home was built through the lens of modernist design with its flat roof, floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed supporting structures and an interplay of open and closed surfaces.
The modular kitchen design pays homage to the home’s mid-century modernist origins.
“After years of disrepair, the house needed urgent renovation,” interior designer Lore De Baere recalls, who undertook the transformation alongside the architect couple who now reside there. The couple, who spend part of their time in Ghent, sought to create a nature retreat that showcased their avid art collection.
Working within the existing structure, the intervention involved updating the original kitchen, retaining the mid-century aesthetic with Afrormosia wood joinery and a stainless-steel worktop. The home comprises a U-shaped floor plan, with spaces separated by white-brick partitions instead of traditional doorways. “Almost all rooms in the house are separated by half-height walls that, like the wooden doors and skylights, are set at a height of two metres,” De Baere says. “This makes spaces appear to flow seamlessly into each other, controlled by the incident sunlight that enters the rooms,” she adds.
The designers preserved much of the existing 1960s furniture, such as the Bastiano sofas and armchair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the living area.
Vandenbussche initially designed the home with a strong focus on light, incorporating glass-panelled windows at the front and rear that draw in natural light and frame the Belgian treescape. These windows also cleverly block direct sunlight in summer while ensuring maximum privacy. “Time and space are captured sacredly in this home, playing a joust between light and shadow against the refined backdrop,” De Baere reflects.
The material palette, including white-painted brick walls, Carrara marble skirting, dark brown ceramic tiles, and Afrormosia timber ceilings, is intentionally subdued to highlight the streamlined architecture. The stainless steel door handles were crafted by Flemish metal artist and sculptor Bonduel, supporting the “almost brutalist way in which material and detail come together” throughout the home, De Baere says.
Belgian artwork, both vintage and contemporary, adds a distinctive touch to the home’s character.
Originally furnished by Vandenbussche, the interiors embody the German concept of ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’—a total work of art. While updated to ensure the home was suitable for contemporary living, the designers “consciously kept the initial design in mind”, retaining much of its original 1960s furniture such as the Bastiano sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and Knoll Barcelona daybed. Additional vintage pieces from the same era were introduced, including the Tecta D48 chair, as well as custom designs by the new owners that celebrate the homes’ mid-century heritage.
A vintage Tecta D48 chair and Knoll Barcelona daybed designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the open-plan office area.
Reflecting on Villa Vandenbussche’s renovation, De Baere recalls Georges Vandenbussche’s emotional visit to the home where he lived for almost 50 years. The architect said to the owners, “You have made the house better,” affirming their sensitive approach to capturing the spirit of this architectural landmark.
While the pool was an addition to the patio, the design was planned according to the original layout of the house to maintain architectural integrity.
Bordering Belgium’s Makegem woods, the home reinforces the importance of a connection to the outdoors.
With its flat roof, floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed supporting structures, Villa Vandenbussche was designed to stand the test of time.
