House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier – All photos by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

Architecture, interior design – As you walk on Bagattenstraat in the heart of Ghent, you might not notice the narrow house nestled between two gray buildings and designed by NU architectuuratelier. Stainless steel corrugated sheets and a concrete plinth with a similar wavy surface blend in with the surrounding urbanscape. Here, a humble door leads to a spacious family home with lots of light and great views of the Belgian city.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

On the ground floor, facing the street, is a multi-purpose reception room connected to an inner courtyard. Behind this courtyard is an office/studio space situated across two levels.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

This ground-level configuration ensures that the connection to the street is kept alive even though the house is organised upside down. Indeed, the house’s layout was completely reversed by placing the living areas upstairs and the sleeping areas below.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

The various residential functions are stacked in split levels around a central staircase. “This strengthens the relationship between the various compact residential functions and creates a unique spatiality, turning the house into a collection of linked spaces.” Explain Armand Eeckels and Halewijn Lievens, founders of NU architectuuratelier.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

The house has a simple structure that is readable in the interior finish. There is one window on the sidewall in the kitchen. This window welcomes the midday sun and ensures a view of the adjacent city archive building. In addition to the central staircase, there is a lift in the facade area. The living room is located on the top floor, which also hosts a small terrace.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

Based in Ghent, NU architectuuratelier is “a platform for intense architecture and design research,” led by Armand Eeckels and Halewijn Lievens. “We aim to develop and to question spatial, material and landscape projects in close interaction with its clients. NU wants to contribute in a qualitative way to our social, spatial and mental environment.”

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier copia.

The studio does not distinguish between architecture and interior; it designs both furniture and interiors as part of the architecture. The making itself remains very consciously part of the architectuuratelier.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier copia.

All photos by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.

House on Bagattenstraat by NU architectuuratelier - Photo by Stijn Bollaert, courtesy of NU architectuuratelier.