Built on the outskirts of Li\u00e8ge, the Repriels house is set in a natural setting \u2013 a meadow next to a small wood, set back from the road. With unobstructed views, a particularly favourable aspect and a gentle slope, the site imposed few constraints on the architect.<\/p>\n
For this house, Vandenhove draws on a whole series of elements that he had incorporated a few years earlier into his own home. He first sought to ensure the building blended discreetly into its surroundings by favouring low-rise volumes arranged across three levels. The semi-underground basement level is designed as a self-contained living unit and comprises a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a darkroom. Reserved for domestic staff, this flat is separated from the service areas by a corridor. The ground floor, meanwhile, offers very spacious living areas organised into three distinct zones. Facing north, the entrances (hall and garages) lead to the living areas, comprising a large living room, a dining room and a small library. Adjoining the garage, the kitchen is situated slightly apart. Two sleeping areas, reserved respectively for the parents and the children, are situated at the western and eastern ends. The top floor, which is more modest in size, is again set aside for a flat, probably intended for family guests. As in some of his earlier projects, such as his own home or the Lucien Brull student residence, Charles Vandenhove favours a sober and rational design based on the interplay of volumes combining brick and concrete. The flat roofs also provide generous terraces on the ground floor and at the flat on the upper floor. All the wooden window frames were designed by the architect. Seeking to engage with the site and ensure the building fits seamlessly into the existing architectural context, Vandenhove brings his characteristic attention to detail to the garden design. The brick and concrete walls extend the house\u2019s footprint around a swimming pool and patches of lawn.<\/p>\n
Charles Vandenhove and the Repriels family remained in contact for many years to come. For Marie-Antoinette Andr\u00e9, the architect designed the sign for the Galerie Vega in 1972 \u2013 a square on a corner highlighted by a neon \u2018V\u2019 created by Jean Rets \u2013 which was installed above the shop window of the gallery, formerly located in the Chiroux-Croisiers complex.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":412,"template":"","collection_type":[31],"class_list":["post-8776","collection","type-collection","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","collection_type-archives-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n