This unique dwelling is situated in the Pajottenland and it is the magnificent scenery of these Brussels surroundings that defines the layout of the house. The incisions in the existing facades were realised in a contemporary but timeless way. The connection with the exterior is intriguing and overwhelming at the same time. Due to the comfort of large spaces, we were able to create a total loft-like open feeling. Despite the many handcrafted details, invisibly integrated techniques and highly personalised design, the interior has a pure, honest and sober look and feel.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne
architect: Joep Debie
landscape architect: Erik Dhont
engineer: Planet Engineering

This beautiful apartment, in a historical art deco building, needed a thorough renovation. Always respecting  the existing floor plan, the layout has been carefully modified in some areas. The design of the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom represents an informal way of living. We used soft, natural textures and colour tones: cement solutions for walls and floors, ‘greige’ paints & casually draped fabrics. In combination with well-chosen black & white pictures, the apartment feels informal and refined at the same time.

photography: Luc Roymans

A new build penthouse with an almost 360° view forms the perimeter for this unique interior. By means of a pivot and sliding door, we split the penthouse in two zones: the open day living part and the more intimate night zone. Starting from scratch, the open kitchen, dining and sitting room are oriented towards the north sea and the city centre. Spectacular views and enchanting sunsets are guaranteed here all day long. On the other side, we created a more intimate area. This zone consists of 2 suites and a multi-purpose/ kids bedroom. In this specific coastal project, we found it logical to realise a coastal feeling with an urban touch. Black & white, light oak & warm walnut, clear glass and filtered light, all well balanced room by room.

photography: Luc Roymans

Amorphous shaped tabletop on a Y-shaped base. Concrete. Made by measure.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

A ‘fashion’ house as an archetype. To strengthen the diversity of the many brands on a single site, we opted for a contemporary, pure design to create an overall site in this historical and industrial area. The linear marking on the exterior is characteristic for the building and is identically repeated on the walls and ceilings in the interior. Everything, down to the smallest detail, was carefully reduced to the essence. The light, for example, is filtered through panels perforated with ‘miniature houses’, and the vertical lines inside serve as holders for floating tablets… less is more.

photography: psg studio
architect: Joep Debie
landscape architect: Linea Hortus
stability: Planet Engineering
techniques: Klimat Engineering

Our mission was to redesign this dated second residence into a fresh, coastal vacation house. All unnecessary details have been removed and the walls stripped up to the masonry. A simple reorganisation made it possible to create a separate bedroom-area for the owners and a second bedroom-area for guests. For this stylish refurbishment we have chosen simple and sustainable materials.  

photography: Luc Roymans

During the renovation of this historic mansion in the Antwerp city centre, we created a blob-like extension, enabling us to realise an extra level with direct connection to the garden. On top of that, while designing the interior, it became clear that creating the right tension between the existing and the new decoration & pure elements could result in an exceptional project. At the end, we used an extensive palette of grey paints, to make it one total project.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne
architect: Joep Debie
landscape architect: Erik Dhont
engineer: Planet Engineering

Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Languedoc-Roussillon… Old vines thrive best in soil containing a pebble mixture. Gravel and vine branches formed the basic materials to transform a former bicycle shop into a trendy food & wine bar located in the centre of Boechout. ‘Bar à bas’ is  French for ‘low bar’. In other words: sitting at a low height around the bar. This creates an open space with captivating unobstructed views and perspectives. However, there are plenty more unusual, cosy corners waiting for you at this food & wine bar. The warm and sober tones in combination with the choice of materials guarantee a relaxed urban atmosphere. The perfect setting to enjoy a nice glass of wine!

photography: Ruben Taelman
architect: Omgeving

This apartment is part of a building in Art Deco style, which forms the basis for this thoughtful redesign. The mosaic floors and the parquet refer to the original building details, while the new finishes, details and made to measure furniture are much more contemporary. ‘Watercolour’ paints and the oak floors blend well with the sea and beach nearby.    

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

This wholesale showroom has been integrated in an old industrial building. The difference between the high-end fashion label and the worn out industrial site couldn’t be bigger. It results in an intriguing clash and underlines the power and unique character of both of them.

photography: Ruben Taelman

The double-height ground floor of this urban house in the city centre of Ghent reflects urban class without being overloaded with decoration or ornament. This is a result of the proportions, the chosen materials and the smooth lines in the made to measure furniture/ architecture. We created interesting perspectives by emphasising the vertical and horizontal elements. The choice of putting dark and light surfaces next to each other results in demarcating different corners in the open space.    

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

The global conception of this production site with offices in the centre of Poland took - as always - place in close contact with our clients. We were lucky and felt blessed to be working with very professional people on site. It made it possible to realise this project in a smooth and constructive way within a quite short time frame.

This refurbished living space reflects soberness and quietness by changing colours and reducing the number of present elements. A cabinet, the fireplace and nearby blinds, for example, became one made to measure wall element and the traditional sofas were replaced by a landscape of seating elements. By adding the right curtains to filter the light and integrating art pieces on the right spots, we gave this project a worldly feeling.

photography: Luc Roymans

Ortho means true/perfect/correct. In this orthodontics practice,  the idea was to divide the open space into a waiting zone and practice part, using the minimum of visual elements. Following an idea from our client , we worked with ‘blue steel’ for the first time. A material with a timeless patina. This material was custom-folded and screwed for the workplaces.

photography: Luc Roymans
architect: Joep Debie

The renovation of this former farm was carried out  with utmost care. The difference between present and past is nevertheless enormous. Adapting the circulation within the existing 'room after room' layout accentuates the length of the farm and provides interesting perspectives. The long central hallway functions as a corridor for artworks. The double-height master bedroom forms an open space with the bathroom. The materials used in the dwelling were limited to wide plank flooring, reuse of existing tiles and doors and new materials with a timeless character. The swimming pool and underground pool-house are fully finished in only one colour: charcoal.

photography: Luc Roymans
architect: Joep Debie
landscape architect: Heidi Van der Weehe
engineer: Planet Engineering

Metropolitan business office

An existing office, located on the top floor of an office building, was completely gutted and given a new layout. Although the open space has a central position, the location of the various meeting rooms allow for sufficient privacy between these rooms  and the actual office area. Warm, tactile materials - wall to wall carpeting and deeply sandblasted wood- and translucent walls - glass with integrated upholstery -  refer to quality & comfort.

photography: Ruben Taelman

be my guest

The first sketches of the table/ benches composition were drawn in 2000. In the essence of this outdoor furniture lies the form-follows-function principle. 4 times 2 people on a bench, together, yet separated by a table leg. The basis is strong and simple and made out of recyclable aluminium. The top consists of warm hardwood.

photography: Serax

Transforming an old coach house into a private bar/ relax area with open fire was a rather unusual assignment for us. It seemed obvious that a wabi sabi approach would be in place here. Rough materials, applied in a simple way, lead to a non-designed timeless feeling.  

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

By taking off the slanted roof and doubling the surface, we transformed this rather traditional Flemish house into a contemporary horizontal villa. Although the construction is quite complex, the outcome is a simple plan with a lot of natural light entering. Open versus closable interior elements create the opportunity to sit in an open or rather more intimate setting. The use of tactile materials makes it a warm and cosy place.

photography: Luc Roymans
architect: Joep Debie
engineer: Planet Engineering

As the entrance area asked for an appropriate sitting element, we designed a simple, almost non-designed bench in oak. While there is no need for ornament, the little nod makes it more comfortable.  

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

In this rather traditional villa, new visual lines and circulation axes were realised in order to create a number of strong perspectives. Similarly, a great stratification between different living spaces dominates. Thanks to the integration of concealed sliding doors, the open space can rapidly be transformed into a number of rooms of great intimacy. Moreover, each room provides space for objects, accessories, and works of art. The walls allow paintings to be hung, alcoves frame objects d'art, and pedestals bear sculptures. The choice of refined materials, combined with the finest detailing, wall finishes and exquisite furniture, makes this project a hidden pearl in the gently rolling Hageland landscape.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

Since our clients fell in love with Spain, we found it evident to realise a renovation with a logical and clear layout and no specific decorative elements. Despite the lack of ‘Spanish’-like details, we created a classy southern setting by, for example, using tropical wood, natural stone and indirect light.      

photography: Ruben Taelman

Symmetry + Asymmetry and Black & White are the leading concepts in this interior design. We minutely adjusted the existing lines and perspectives until they perfectly matched the new design, which is highlighted by the extreme purity and sober colours, the natural materials and the pure surfaces. Functionality is subtly hidden here: the TV over the fireplace appears at the touch of a button, and the low bench in the bay conceals the radiators. A powerful statement that ‘form follows function’ can produce a delightful result.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

Bleached… this prefabricated office building was stripped right down to the structure and then rebuilt with a clear layout. The result is an open-space office with ancillary showroom. The floor is made of  poly-concrete and allows all techniques to remain visible. These elements, along with the matching styling, refer to the casual, no-nonsense brand identity.

photography: Luc Roymans

Situated directly between the tower blocks of Renaat Braem’s Police Tower and the Antwerp Boerentoren is the former residence-cum-atelier of sculptor/architect Cornelis Floris de Vriendt (16th century). At a later stage, the parcel was extended and the site became a school. Our assignment consisted of transforming this patrimony into four commercial spaces and a dozen residential entities. FTdo focused on preserving the soul, recalling the playground and candidly and subtly adding new elements. The buildings were dismantled with precious care and rebuilt layer by layer.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne
architect: Omgeving
engineer:  Studiebureau Ing. G. Depoorter

‘Sand’ forms the basis for this renovation of an apartment by the sea that dates back to the interbellum period. This was realised in the bleached oak floor, the French sandstone and in the light wood veneer. Build-in openings between the rooms adjoining the facade give you the impression that you are walking along the sea front. The white walls reflect the current weather outside at any time of the day.

photography: Luc Roymans

Comfort and high-tech fully blend in this apartment. The wooden wall is a reference to the swaying reeds by the waterside. This wall provides space for objects, photo frames and a TV. It also conceals a hotel style bedroom and connects the different living zones. The open kitchen has a rigidly geometric design. All  materials were selected with great care. Even the refrigerator was covered with leather, down to the minutest detail. Simplicity, luxury and tranquillity are the keywords here.

photography: Thomas De Bruyne

How do you transform an impoverished low brick building, situated in a maze of backyards, into a pleasant shopping environment? The secret is found in the creation of a kind of courtyard area in front of the building and by turning the inside area into an interior garden! Large windowed sections forge the link between indoor and outdoor areas. Inside, a multi-shop experience has been created.

photography: Luc Roymans
architect: Joep Debie

FTdo pop_up iguazu, pop-up showroom/ office, summer 2013, Knokke.

photography: Luc Roymans

The ‘Noses’ at the Rubens-square, form the scene of this renovated apartment. These dark oiled panels in oak fit in the personalised kitchen. The subtle shadow play is part of the result.   

photography: Ruben Taelman

Mission: the conversion of a ‘used office’ into a professional reception and meeting area for customers and internal use. Within the context of the existing architecture, all partitions were removed and a completely new layout was created. The new structure required us to thoroughly upgrade all the technical facilities: HVAC, lighting, IT, etc. -  technology associated with a high-quality, modern office environment. As VBM is focusing on ‘finance for dynamic businesses’, the concept reflects an environment in which all ballast has been thrown overboard.

photography: Luc Roymans

Creating a new label asks for a unique personalised shop setting. Even though the label didn’t survive, the interior has been recycled in a new shop. It emphasises the importance of a well-thought-out plan and sustainable design.

photography: Ruben Taelman

This 2nd residence, which is situated at one of the most fashionable squares in Belgium, took on a Mediterranean flavour partly through the extensive use of carefully selected materials. The assignment had a single explicit requirement, which was to remain in harmony with the contours of the apartment under construction and, after a complete tabula rasa, to start afresh with a new format and program. The white (natural) stone, with crystalline structure, draws the sunlight deeper into the space. On top of this basis there is a tone-on-tone composition of additional white elements: wall decorations in broken white, paintwork in off-white and shutters in pure white. And all of this interspersed with sand, ochre and coffee-coloured objects...

photography: Luc Roymans