An intriguing residential project in Belgium, House N-DP, by architecture studio Graux & Baeyens Architecten, projects an introspective openness. This house in Leuvense Vaart, Mechelen, never ceases to fascinate. A seemingly asymmetrical concrete ceiling and closed facade creates a pleasing impression of introverted openness.

The complex positioning of the sloping concrete canopy and triangular floors creates an aesthetic need that responds to the context of the house. In this case, a long, narrow lot is close to its immediate neighbors, but also has a view of the expansive canal and the fields behind it. The concept of the house is the result of a creative process that considers all of these parameters in a single, consistent story.

Each floor is tilted backward relative to the previous and superimposed at a slightly offset Angle, with the aim of creating privacy and a sense of security for residents. The fan-in movement also creates an interesting effect, contrasting the overall appearance of the nine-metre-high building. At the same time, the fan design is designed to minimize the impact on neighbors. Gaps in the concrete walls in turn create exciting openings for the garden and water. The openings give the building a more human scale, although the concrete structure is no less spectacular than a boat slowly passing on a canal.

The house uses a serene material palette that has been continued down to the smallest details. For the railings, Graux & Baeyens Architecten purposely eschews modern glass and uses galvanized steel instead. This makes the cracks in the walls and facades consistent with the human scale of the inhabitants in an otherwise imposing building. The steel of the balustrade is reflected in the exterior stairs and doors, which were designed specifically for the house. There is a nice detail in this gate, just like on the outside wall of the house, which applies grooves to make the wheels of the gate visible and give a sense of surprise.