Rag Doll House project completed by Delmulle Delmulle involves the renovation and restoration of the protected villa, with a focus on strengthening the existing character.
"The project is actually quite rational. The client absolutely wanted a large basement underneath the house. The house is registered and protected by the city hall, so demolishing it is impossible which was a challenge. Building the basement, means that we have to hold up the entire house above the ground floor. So we decided this is a perfect basis for the design. We just cut the entire house under the roof, so the whole ground floor can be glazed.
The transparent ground floor sets itself inferior to the villa above, of which the roof sits firmly above the whole. There is an interaction between new and old. A transparent contemporary atmosphere in contrast with the atmosphere of the early 20th century. All facades remain untouched in its totality and current form.
We consider it actually as a useful relic, nestled in a new structure and infrastructure. The house doesn’t really change from the surroundings. It’s only from the inside that the drastic change becomes visible.
It is actually a beautiful contrast. The glazed ground floor and the protected cottage above. A good expression of duality we found in the clients. And they will have it all: city and countryside, renovation and newly built, cottage and contemporary."
Words provided by Delmulle Delmulle
