— Project intent
A precise answer to the site and programme.
The complete renovation of this three-facade village house in Isnes, in the province of Namur, Wallonia, is guided by a clear architectural parti: to thoroughly modernise the dwelling while preserving its belonging to the traditional village fabric.
The street-facing facade is kept as close as possible to its original state, with interventions limited to a minimal adjustment of window openings. This restrained approach respects the scale and character of the surrounding vernacular buildings, ensuring a coherent urban integration.
The rear facade tells a very different story. A full recomposition of the volumes, built around flat roofs and generous openings, brings in the natural light and spatial quality that the original layout could not provide. The materiality of the new facades combines open-jointed timber cladding with horizontally laid slate, giving the renovated volumes a distinctly contemporary architectural language. These durable materials clearly signal the architectural intervention, drawing a legible distinction between the existing structure and the renewed extension without imposing a harsh contrast.
Designed by the architecture firm STARC, this residential project in Namur province demonstrates a sensitive yet ambitious approach to renovation, in which the dialogue between village heritage and contemporary architecture drives every design decision.
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