charred timber and nature surround JUMA’s villa in the flemish ardennes

JUMA puts the focus on nature for villa RS

For this house in rural Belgium, JUMA Architects wanted to draw attention to the surrounding landscape so they shaped a low, horizontal building clad in blackened timber. Realized on a hill in the Flemish Ardennes, ‘Villa RS’ is positioned at a right angle to the street with the north side of the sizeable lot offering views of the surrounding fields with picturesque church towers in the distance. To the south, the house wraps around a terrace and an infinity pool, which is protected from the elements by a garden wall.

The main program is contained within the longer volume. The first floor hosts a kitchen, living room, dining room, and the master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and dressing room at the far end.

Sliding windows on both sides of this level can be opened up completely, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. There’s also a covered terrace on the north side complete with a wood-burning stove. The second floor contains three children’s bedrooms with a shared bathroom.

images © Annick Vernimmen

light earthy tones and luxurious finishes

As for materials, the exterior of Villa RS is characterized by charred timber cladding, which avoids becoming too overpowering thanks to the use of spaced wooden slats. The motif of the wooden slats is echoed in the concrete canopies outside and the ceilings inside with wooden formwork. Ceppo stone was specified for the floors of the terraces and living areas to tie in with the grey concrete surfaces.

The interiors were envisaged to flow seamlessly from the exterior through the consistent use of a uniform color palette. Elements of burnt wood cladding continue inside while light earthy tones create a calm, homely atmosphere. Other finishes include light-colored tadelakt on the dining room walls, bespoke oak veneer cupboards, and a sandblasted travertine kitchen counter. The house features black accents throughout, except in the master bathroom. Here, JUMA opted for brass accents to emulate the luxuriousness of a hotel room. The master even opens out to the terrace so the residents can walk straight out for a splash in the pool.

the infinity pool