ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Van Wassenhove Residence: Juliaan Lampens' Radical Concrete Home

architecture-design · 2026-04-22

Constructed between 1972 and 1974 in Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium, the Van Wassenhove Residence stands as a pivotal creation by architect Juliaan Lampens. This home features a singular, unbroken concrete form nestled in a forested area, which defies traditional notions of comfort, privacy, and spatial organization. Operating largely outside mainstream architectural trends, Lampens focused on radical spatial simplicity, honest use of materials, and a principled approach to building. Regarded as his most comprehensive project, the residence embodies consistent themes from his oeuvre. Its presence is straightforward and resolute, yet it steers clear of grandiosity, functioning instead as a space shaped by daily activities and long-term living.

Key facts

  • Van Wassenhove Residence built between 1972 and 1974
  • Located in Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
  • Designed by architect Juliaan Lampens
  • Single continuous concrete volume in wooded landscape
  • Challenges conventional domestic comfort, privacy, spatial hierarchy
  • Lampens worked mostly in Flanders on private commissions
  • Residence considered Lampens' most complete work
  • Emphasizes radical spatial reduction and material honesty

Entities

Artists

  • Juliaan Lampens

Locations

  • Sint-Martens-Latem
  • Belgium
  • Flanders

Sources