the ‘BoX’
Private residence — Pajottenland, Belgium
Located in the peaceful hills of Pajottenland, opposite Gaasbeek Castle, The BoX is set in an exceptional rural landscape, where the horizon and the light dictate the rhythm of the place. The project was born out of our desire to design a home in constant dialogue with nature, accompanied by an architect friend who has guided us in our architectural approach for more than fifteen years.
Location and orientation
The gently sloping north-facing plot offered a unique location: access from Bosstraat to the south and an open view of the garden and landscape to the north.
Rather than protecting itself from the north, the project chose to open up fully to it, capturing the diffuse and stable light that characterises this orientation.
The access and garage are integrated into the slope of the land, freeing the main volume from any technical constraints and preserving the serenity of the garden.
Spatial concept
The BoX is a pure, compact volume, designed as a glass box suspended between two concrete levels.
The lower level, partially underground, houses the technical and service functions: garage, workshop, pool house and storage spaces. A central patio, facing north, acts as a thermal lung: it captures coolness in summer and promotes natural ventilation through the chimney effect.
On the upper level, the large living room flows seamlessly into the terrace and the landscape. The bedrooms are arranged around this bright core, enjoying a direct connection to nature without ever disrupting the coherence of the layout.
Materiality and structure
The main structure rests on an exposed reinforced concrete base, supporting a floor made of concrete poured on site. The façades combine clear glass, aluminium and raw concrete, arranged according to a logic of visual continuity and thermal efficiency.
The complex is based on a high-performance insulation system (PUR and XPS), incorporating thermal breaks at sensitive points and independently controlled electric heating, chosen to avoid any interference with passive solar gains.
The material sobriety reinforces the architectural presence of the building: no artifice, no superfluity — just concrete, glass and light.
The large glass surfaces ensure total transparency between the interior and exterior, while the recessed lower level helps to stabilise indoor temperatures throughout the year.
Relationship with nature and sustainability
The major challenge of the project was to reconcile openness with energy performance.
Despite the abundance of glass surfaces, The BoX manages to maintain optimal thermal comfort thanks to the compactness of the volume, the inertia of the concrete, and natural ventilation controlled by the patio.
The garden extends this philosophy of balance between architecture and landscape.
A well-thought-out and conscious living space
More than just a house, The BoX is a conscious living experience.
Every decision—orientation, setback, materials, techniques—is the result of a shared reflection on how to live in an open space without compromising privacy, and on the relationship between nature, energy and comfort.
This project marks the culmination of a long personal journey and an architectural friendship: a lived-in work, both radical and peaceful, where sight, light and silence become matter.
Technical specifications
Project: The BoX
Location: Pajottenland, Belgium
Client: Private
Design: Studio LRTH in collaboration with Christiaan Verhelst, architect
Surface area: ± 400 m²
Structure: Reinforced concrete, aluminium, glass
Year of design: 2022–2023
Photographies : Studio LRTH
