yinjispace

ARCHITECTURE
Hans Christian Demyttenaere
INTERIOR
Arjaan De Feyter
LANDSCAPE
Dominique Eeman
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tijs Vervecken
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

From the very beginning, this project was about people rather than style. I have a deep respect for clients who have built everything themselves, who are driven, curious and willing to challenge both themselves and the designer to reach something better. This couple was demanding in the best possible way, always kind and respectful, but deeply invested in creating a home that felt truly personal.

What I appreciated most was their desire for a genuine exchange. They wanted a designer who would not simply agree, but someone who would question ideas, refine them and stand fully behind every decision. That intensity made the process more demanding, but also far more rewarding.

I still remember our first meeting at my office on the canal site in Wijnegem. What began as a simple introduction quickly evolved into an intense brainstorming session that lasted for hours. We were already sketching and designing, even though a first meeting is not always meant for that. There was an immediate connection.

The client expressed a need for time, dialogue and unexpected solutions, a process where ideas could grow into a shared vision rather than a predefined concept. Later I learned that they had spoken to several prominent names in the field, but often felt they were stepping into someone else’s world with little room for personal input. Our conversation felt different to them, and hearing that was a meaningful compliment.

The final result reflects that collaborative energy. Despite the strong presence of my own language, the clients feel completely aligned with every design choice. I have learned that projects built on questioning and dialogue are often richer than those driven by absolute carte blanche. There were many discussions, sometimes long ones, but always with mutual respect and a willingness to understand each other’s perspective. The darker wall finishes, for example, were the subject of extensive debate, yet they ultimately became one of the defining qualities of the home. The entrance volume, finished in a deep bronze lacquer, emerged from a similar process. Positioned centrally, it sharpens the architecture, creates transitions between atmospheres and anchors the spatial experience.

The architectural framework itself offered a powerful starting point. The strong sightlines and half-levels conceived by the architect created a natural flow through the house, allowing us to rethink functions while maintaining the original spatial logic. Equally important was the integration of the landscape, where the garden design softens the scale of what is, in essence, a very large villa.

Inside, our ambition was to create a sequence of distinct places rather than one continuous open space. Some areas are darker and more intimate, others expansive and filled with light, yet visual connections remain throughout. This layering of atmospheres ensures that the house never feels overwhelming in scale. Human proportion was always the guiding principle, expressed through recurring horizontal lines, carefully positioned volumes and the warmth of natural surfaces.

Light moves gently through the interior, guided by the changing levels and framed openings rather than dramatic gestures. The windows connect the living spaces to the garden in a quiet, almost understated way, reinforcing a sense of calm continuity.

Ultimately, the house is less about perfection and more about character. The clients themselves are warm, intense and deeply engaged, and it felt natural that their interior would reflect that same emotional depth. Rather than creating a cool white box, the aim was to design a home that feels grounded, atmospheric and alive, a place shaped by dialogue, trust and a shared pursuit of something meaningful.

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