Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior PhotographyHillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, WoodHillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior PhotographyHillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior PhotographyHillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - More Images+ 14

Leuven, Belgium
  • Architects: Lava architecten
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  210
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Toon Grobet
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Architon, Dr. Light, Sapa, Simpson Strong Tie
  • Lead Architects: Thomas Delauré, Tomas Liekens, Pieter Meuwissen, Joeri Clement
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Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior Photography
© Toon Grobet

Text description provided by the architects. Project. The plot is located on one of the most wooded hill ridges in the area. The substrate consists of the typical iron sandstone, which has a very high bearing capacity. The building uses the existing relief as much as possible. It is placed against the hill, sloping in the opposite direction, creating sufficient space between the house and the hill at the front to create a carport. At the back, the house and the hill reach the same level. The slope of the house translates in the interior with floors that change 36 cm in height or 2 steps of stairs. Given the proximity of the forest and the reached height, it feels like you’re living in the treetops. At the front of the house, a stunning view of the valley is created.

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior Photography
© Toon Grobet
Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Image 15 of 19
Plan - Site
Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior Photography
© Toon Grobet

Modules. The entire design is based on twelve ‘building blocks, consisting of a square module of 4,5 m by 4,5 m. This module can either contain a patio or an interior space. If it contains an interior space, it is covered with a slightly sloping roof, made from wooden beams which remain insight and change direction for every module. Every module has a square opening in the facade, directed at striking views or views through the house, or providing access to the house.

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Beam
© Toon Grobet

The structure of the house is a very complicated matter because it cantilevers in different directions, the floor slabs change in height by 36 cm and the forces have to be diverted to a limited basement area. That’s why the entire house is realized in in-situ concrete. The walls of the modules function as floor-high beams. A 3D analysis of the structure showed where the openings in the walls could be made.

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Facade
© Toon Grobet

Ecology in its context. After consulting the agency ‘Natuur en Bos’ it was decided to thin out the forest and give priority to the newer trees. In addition, after the construction, there will be new trees planted around and very close to the house. We deliberately chose ventilation system A. After all, the trees are our natural ‘filter’. The plot is located at the end of a dead-end street, which is why there’s little concern for noise or dust. However, it’s no easy task to build a house with the age-old concept of ventilation chimneys in 2015.

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Wood
© Toon Grobet
Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows
© Toon Grobet
Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Windows
© Toon Grobet

The EPB-software indicated that this house would have a huge overheating problem, despite its location with a lot of shaded areas. Let’s use this house as a plea to look for a good balance between the technical data like compactness, insulation thickness, technical installations, and qualitative data, like spatiality, experience, and urban planning.

Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten - Exterior Photography
© Toon Grobet

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Cite: "Hillside House Leuven / Lava architecten" 18 Oct 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/970286/hillside-house-leuven-lava-architecten> ISSN 0719-8884

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