1950s Roger Homez modern house in Kraainem, Flanders, Belgium
Still catching the eye over 60 years on, this 1950s Roger Homez modern house in Kraainem, Flanders, Belgium, is up for sale.
And so it should. This was an award-winning house when constructed back in 1959 and has been protected as a piece of architecture for some years. If European modernism is your thing, you will love this one.
The house, described as a modernist villa, was the work of noted architect Roger Homez, who actually designed the house for himself in a communal garden with the original house of his parents next to it in the same style. I can only presume his parents were fairly forward-thinking too. Still a bold design today; it would have been off the scale back in the ’50s. Even in this part of the world. Modern houses in Belgium are always special.
As I said, award-winning too, picking up the ‘Eerste vermelding Prijs van de Ven’ not long after construction, a prestigious prize for Belgian modern architecture, with the protected status being put in place in 2014.
It’s a design that catches the eye because of its simplicity. Clean lines, a sober colour palette, large windows, and a hilltop location that offers some great views through that extensive glazing.
Inside follows a similar principle. Simple, flowing living space that benefits from plenty of natural light, with the sleeping quarters confined to the lower floor of this two-storey house.
And very little has changed, which is a massive plus point here. I look at a lot of modern houses and take for granted that there must be enhancements and updates purely out of practicality. We don’t live in museums as a rule.
But not so this one. Well maintained, of course. But looking at the photos, nothing of note, if anything at all, has changed since the mid-20th century. This is European modern encapsulated.
The hallway with its stone walls (following through from the outside), tiled floor and open-tread staircase are a wonderful first view inside this one. It sets the tone of a house big on understated style.
Working through, check out the doors, the light fittings, the fitted furnishings, the fireplace, the colour scheme, and that lovely little serving hatch. But that’s not quite all.
The kitchen is pretty much untouched from when the house was constructed. The bathroom too. Ok, there might be practical issues with both. But I’m sure both of those could be updated subtly for 21st-century use.
You will need to view it to get a proper idea of the condition and any work required (as you would with any house purchase). But this one is a dream for a house and even better if you have business in Brussels. Kraainem is just a short distance away.
As for the layout, that’s over two floors, and as I said earlier, the main living space is on the upper floor, taking advantage of the views, while the majority of the sleeping quarters are on the lower floor.
Two access points, with the choice of downstairs areas or sideways through the terrace, where you immediately enter the main living areas.
On the ground floor, large spaces have been set out for the sleeping quarters – with three bedrooms in total, as well as an extra bathroom, guest toilet, and office area.
The living areas are on the upper floor, with the addition of the master bedroom with a bathroom. Note also the spacious terrace running the length of the rear of the house.
The living room is designed in a U-shape, continuing through various rooms with ‘lounge zones’, followed by the dining room and that wonderful original kitchen.
Stylish, spacious, functional and, according to the agent, with ‘options for filling in the downstairs areas’ if you need more space. All of that and easy access to Brussels. Oh yes, plenty of land, and you might have spotted that garage below the house too.
Fancy all of that? This wonderful modern house in Kraainem has just hit the market with an asking price of €890,000.
Images and details courtesy of Architecten Woning. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
