Woning Van Wassenhove

Woning Van Wassenhove in Sint-Martens-Latem is a house designed by Belgian architect Juliaan Lampens (1926–2019). Lampens is mostly famous for his brutalist chapel in Kerselare.

The house is a listed monument and was built between 1972 and 1974 for Albert Van Wassenhove, a teacher - and bachelor - with a passion for contemporary art and architecture. Lampens designed a house with his favourite materials: concrete, wood and glass. The warmth of the wood and the ever-changing play of incident light shatter the massiveness of the concrete.

The radical application of the open plan is very characteristic for this house and has a deep impact on the living experience. To structure the interior, Lampens uses basic geometric shapes: the sleeping area is inside a wood cilinder, the kitchen is a triangle and the office space is a square. On top of that, the house is thoughtfully implanted in harmony with its surroundings and in connection to nature.

After Van Wassenhove’s death in 2012, the house was bequeathed to Ghent University, which in turn entrusted it on long-term loan to Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens. The latter opens and activates the house through visits, exhibitions and residencies for artists.

Individual visits are only possible on specific visiting days. Check availabilites here.