From afar, the isolated brick farmhouse in the countryside of Pepingen (about 30 kilometres from Brussels, Belgium) appears almost as it would have when it was built over 100 years ago. But as one gets nearer, a few contemporary interventions begin to reveal themselves: the cleaned-up (and, in some cases, replaced) brick, new fenestration and, most notably, when moving around back, a triangular void in the roof that creates a light-filled internal courtyard and transitional space between indoors and outdoors.

The landscape design by Denis Dujardin includes local vegetation and a discreet channel that funnels excess rainwater to a natural pond to be purified and slowly filtered back into the ground.

Designed by Ghent- and Barcelona-based OYO Architects, the transformation of the century-old structure required a complete reimagining of the interior of the 312-square-metre space while preserving as much of the exterior as was feasible — and prioritizing sustainability and energy efficiency. “From the start, the client and our firm wanted to save the appearance, the essence and the exterior structure and work with what we had,” says the project lead, architect Xander Denduyver.

Designed by OYO Architects, the Belgian farmhouse now features an open and bright multi-level interior anchored by a central green-painted metal staircase.

To achieve this, the firm kept all the perimeter walls and two load-bearing internal walls, but otherwise gutted the interiors back to a 30-centimetre-thick brick shell (which provides a functional thermal layer) treated to a coat of crisp white paint. The client had fallen in love with the 10-metre height of the original farmhouse and didn’t want to see this closed off. Denduyver and his team were able to maintain this by inserting a wood skeleton that contains the entire living space within the brick shell (and provides further thermal and windproofing insulation). Following a split-level concept, the architects organized a series of five mezzanine-like planes around a central metal staircase painted a handsome pine green. Positioned 1.5 metres apart from each other, the different levels are afforded diagonal views above and below, creating an intriguing play of perspective, openness and transparency.

“It was about working with materials that have soul,” says Denduyver of the selected palette, which included durable polished concrete slab floors throughout the ground level. Elsewhere, the warm pinewood framework comes through as ceilings and upper-level floors and window-sills. Neutral-toned furniture is complemented by accents of salmon, terracotta and more green, contributing to an overall warm yet airy, balanced yet surprising environment.

Partially open to the elements, the courtyard insertion is framed by full-height glazing to allow natural light to permeate deep within the newly renovated farmhouse.

As for that internal glass-lined courtyard, it allows light to flow freely throughout the entire home while also crossing another must-have off the list. Situated in the middle of a field, the farmhouse is subject to some fierce winds, especially in the south-facing backyard. “The client wanted an intimate and protected space outside,” says Denduyver. “The glass courtyard keeps one protected while still feeling exposed to and a part of the surrounding nature.”