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Atelier Vens Vanbelle designs factory-like brick cube home in Ghent

architecture-design · 2026-08-18

Project Tomas & Katrien, a cubic brick home in Ghent, Belgium, has been finalized by Atelier Vens Vanbelle. Known as The Factory, this two-story residence was developed after local authorities turned down an initial design featuring a blank wall. Inside, a central diamond-shaped skylight and a vibrant yellow staircase enhance the living experience across both levels. The construction utilizes a mix of brick, clay tiles, and metal. At the far end of the garden, a separate building functions as a store, bike shelter, and seating area. This project adds to Ghent's collection of industrial-themed architecture and was featured on Dezeen on August 18, 2026.

Key facts

  • Atelier Vens Vanbelle designed Project Tomas & Katrien, a cubic brick home in the suburbs of Ghent, Belgium.
  • The house is nicknamed The Factory by neighbours and deliberately resembles an industrial structure.
  • City officials rejected the studio's initial proposal to build against a blind wall, requiring a detached house.
  • The two-storey home is organised around a diamond-shaped skylight and light well with a bright yellow staircase.
  • Ground-floor ceiling beams, paved areas, and timber floors are aligned at 45-degree diagonals to the home's edges.
  • A diagonal wall separates the living, dining, and kitchen area from smaller service spaces.
  • Upstairs, four bedrooms wrap around a cross-shaped multipurpose area overlooking the living zone.
  • The garden store features perforated brick walls and a timber-and-polycarbonate roof.
  • Atelier Avondzon, Macadam Atelier, and Decancq Vercruysse are also mentioned for recent residential projects in Ghent.

Entities

Artists

  • Tomas
  • Katrien

Institutions

  • Atelier Vens Vanbelle
  • Dezeen
  • Atelier Avondzon
  • Macadam Atelier
  • Decancq Vercruysse

Locations

  • Ghent
  • Belgium

Sources