Near Antwerp, an architect -designed house for art

An artistic heterotopia. Here is how this unique project is told by its author, the Belgian architect Nicolas Schuybroek. A total work too. Defined by Michel Foucault in the 1960s, heterotopia is a separate place, out of time, breaking with its environment. “Payed in art, philosophy and architecture”, The owners therefore wanted a heterotope house to accommodate their impressive collection of contemporary art. James Turrell, Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor … “The project was born from this notion of withdrawal on oneself and thus started with a mass architecture, a very closed volume,” describes the architect. When you push the heavy steel entrance door, you enter a dreamlike universe. »»

The house opens on this room, the low window of which is akin to a work of art. Left, Figure1960, a bronze sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, faces Batager in front of the sea1910, a painting by Léon Spilliaert. Near the window, Circular glass Block2011, a glass sculpture by Roni Horn.Matthieu Salvaing

On the wall, the monumental work of Anish Kapoor, UntitledAluminum and Pigment, 1996, is one of the centerpieces of the house. On the wall console Triple Sliding Door Wall CabinetThat. 1950, by George Nakashima, Signal, 1959, a sculpture by Panayiotis Vassilakis, known as Takis. On the table, GoutThat. 1970, from teenager Chale, an African Dogon sculpture from the 19th century.Matthieu Salvaing

A mathematical concept

The construction is based on a square base of 20 meters, from which different blocks ensue. A concept “Mathematics”nevertheless tempered by a garden abundant with great softness and a sensory facade based on earth, cement and gravel. For the Antwerp owner couple, this radicality fills two designs. The first, create the perfect setting to house their precious works of art – including monumental and complex pieces to install -, and provide a sufficiently flexible space to allow them to enlarge their collection. The second, “Avoid the museum effect with a frozen, clinical decor”explains Nicolas Schuybroek.

The adobe concrete facade was made to measure by hand by craftsmen.Matthieu Salvaing

In the office, facing a custom oak library drawn by Nicolas Schuybroek, an office and a chair, CA. 1958, by Pierre Jeanneret, low metal tables (liage) and Lot III2012, a sculpture by Antony Gormley.Matthieu Salvaing

An architecture-art

He thus drew a house “Large, practical and durable, but alive, thanks to materials that sweat and get involved over time”like color « os » textured that dresses the walls and gives inside all its depth. Bathed in light, the structure revolves around a central atrium. A quasi mystical decor, which welcomes, from the entrance, the gestures of Louise Bourgeois, Léon Spilliaert and Roni Horn, caressed by the Zenithale Light. “This trinity is a first surprise. The Japanese low window, opening the view of the external bonsai, becomes almost a fourth work of art ”, indicates the architect. The old, sculptural wooden staircase connects spaces and invites them to contemplation, “Hanging the eye” on each floor.

The living room sets up a dreamlike atmosphere with the wall Circular Glass2020, the extraordinary work of James Turrell. Left, Green Balloon2011, a painting by Michaël Borremans, animates the pair of armchairs and the sofa Polar bear by Jean Royère. Wood warms the room, with the teak fireside chairman Kangarooby Pierre Jeanneret, ca. 1955, and an old walnut console made to measure by Nicolas Schuybroek.

The kitchen brings the wood and the stone dialogue with, around a table by Axel Vervoordt, the chairs Chapo S34 by Pierre Chapo and Zig Zag of Gerrit Rietveld ( 1940). On the island, Untitled1993, a ceramic of Enric Master. John Pawson glass suspension.Matthieu Salvaing

A mineral atmosphere

The famous cuisine, too, expressive materials such as walnut and lava gravel. As for the stay, it gives way to the masterful masterful work of James Turrell. “Its full cycle lasts three hours. During the photo report, we waited, with Matthieu Salvaing (the photographer, editor’s note), and the sun appeared through the window, recalls Nicolas Schuybroek. A magical moment. »» Upstairs, the minimum room, “With just a bed”vibrate through the table ” amazing “ by Megan Rooney; Same atmosphere in the bathroom with a mineral appearance, warmed by the work of Robert Mangold and the warm materiality of the adjoining linen.

The dressing room is entirely covered with raw linen. On the console, Yakinuki-Tyoe Rock Tea Bowl2021, a ceramic of Raku Kichizaemon XV. Carpet (Bruder).Matthieu Salvaing

In the sanded carrare marble bathroom, Orange/Black Zone1996, a painting by Robert Mangold.Matthieu Salvaing

Art and design in dialogue

Now, thanks to Nicolas Schuybroek, the design is in turn in the private collection of the owner couple. “Passionate about art, they had not yet considered furniture as works in its own right,” specifies the architect, who introduced them to Gerrit Rietveld, Ado Chale or Pierre Jeanneret. For me, the Zig Zag chair by Gerrit Rietveld is a museum piece. »» And to soften the frugality of the white structure, he introduced heterogeneous furniture from France, Scandinavia and his own drawings. “This interesting mixture works very well in the tactility of the project”he confirms. And conclude: “This interior is warm, without any superfluous element. “A demonstration of architectural power”.