Belgian Designers Breathe New Life into Historic Doctor’s Residence and Practice.

Formerly a doctor’s residence with an adjoining practice, this modernist gem in Turnhout, Belgium has been reimagined by designers Dries Otten and Axelle Vertommen. Part of the ‘Turnhoutse School’ tradition (a movement of ambitious architects building in the modernist style after WWII), the home’s architectural integrity shines through while accommodating the needs of its new inhabitants—a family with three children.

The spaciousness, abundant natural light, and quality materials immediately drew the family to this architectural treasure. The former doctor’s practice presents an additional advantage, as it will eventually serve as a separate living space for one of the children with special needs.

In the kitchen, Otten and Vertommen retained the existing floor while introducing a rich material palette of laminate, terrazzo, and teak. Each functional area received distinctive treatment, with the wet zone drawing inspiration from 1970s service kitchens—featuring one expansive terrazzo work surface with an integrated sink. Adjacent to the kitchen, a pragmatic storage room houses floor-to-ceiling cabinets and cleverly integrates the washing machine.

French Art Deco Gets a Memphis Milano Twist by Dries Otten & Axelle Vertommen.

This French residence blends original features with contemporary interventions, from Christmas-like striped cloakrooms to googly-eyed storage solutions.

The living space’s lowered seating area underwent a striking transformation. Rather than reinstating separate sofas, the designers created a bespoke seating solution that amplifies the home’s character. Silky soft yellow carpet blankets the floor and basic structure, topped with custom yellow cushions. The husband’s music collection finds its home here too, with an integrated DJ booth completing this conversation pit.

Upstairs, the yellow carpeting reappears in the master bedroom. The ensuite bathroom combines existing mosaic tiles with new 100x100mm tiles for the shower area. The children’s bathroom received a complete overhaul, featuring a hidden toilet, a substantial round mirror with indirect lighting, and a generously sized washbasin—all echoing the atmosphere of the master ensuite.

From Two Apartments to a Family Home: House Y&A in Mortsel by Memo Architectuur.

Spacious enough to hold a growing family of four, House Y&A has generous living spaces and a very homely connection to the rear garden. Yet, many of its spaces seem like they could be pulled out of a magazine under its ‘small footprint living’ section.

[Images courtesy of Dries Otten. Photography by Jef Jacobs.]