The Wooden House CM is a detached, 220 m² family home located in Asse, a suburb of Brussels, Belgium. Designed by architects Bruno Vanbesien and Christophe Meersman, the house was completed in 2011 on a vacant lot situated between two existing homes. The design masterfully balances discretion on its facade with transparency and flexibility on the inside, creating an oasis for its inhabitants.

The design of Wooden House CM is a testament to the successful collaboration between the architect and the owner, who was also an architectural assistant.

From the street, the home appears deceptively modest. Its facade and roof are uniformly clad in thin strips of tropical afromosia hardwood, which will weather naturally over time. The varying thickness of the vertical cladding creates an intriguing visual texture and a sense of depth, with the house's entryway and garage door subtly concealed within the rhythmic wood.

The back of the house stands in stark contrast to its reserved front. The architects maximized transparency with large windows on the ground and first floors that can be opened wide, blurring the boundary between the interior and the outdoors.

A notable feature is the bedroom on the second floor, which has a glass door that slides away to allow the bed to be rolled out onto a terrace for sleeping under the stars. This playful design element extends the living space and fosters a deep connection to nature.

The use of materials, particularly the hardwood cladding, is consistent throughout the exterior. The natural stone flooring, made of basalt tiles, is used in the various rooms and continues onto the outdoor terraces, further maximizing the effect of a seamless transition between inside and outside.

The interior was thoughtfully designed to maximize light and space within the constraints of the compact lot. A light shaft positioned directly above a minimalist metal staircase funnels daylight down through the different floors, making the interior feel bright and spacious. The thin construction of the staircase further enhances this effect. Custom-designed interior elements, including the kitchen, bathrooms, and lighting, were carefully crafted to complement the architecture. The deliberate alignment of furniture and thoughtful details emphasizes the architectural language and gives the house its unique character.

Project credits

Architects: Bruno Vanbesien and Christophe Meersman

Photography: Tim Van de Velde

Location: Asse, Belgium

Completion Year: 2011