Imagine transforming a mid-century bungalow into a modern family haven while preserving its timeless charm—sounds impossible, right? But that's exactly what Belgian architecture studio Felt achieved in Ghent, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking. By adding a striking blue-tiled tower that doubles as an entrance and staircase, Felt has redefined the home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. But here’s where it gets controversial: does modernizing a mid-century structure risk losing its original character, or does it breathe new life into it? Let’s dive in.
Named Daniël, this 315-square-metre renovation was no small feat. Felt’s challenge was to adapt the home for contemporary family life while honoring its mid-century roots—think rectilinear design and white-painted brick. The key? Tackling the awkward ‘circulation knot’ at the heart of the T-shaped layout, where the single-storey living area met a split-level bedroom wing in a cramped entrance. And this is the part most people miss: Felt’s solution wasn’t just practical; it was a bold design statement.
Enter the ‘compact tower,’ a central feature clad in vibrant blue ceramic tiles. Inside, an ochre-colored staircase and high-level windows not only solve the circulation issue but also flood the space with zenithal light. As Felt explains, ‘The tower anchors circulation, transforms a hidden transition into a spatial focal point, and gives the entrance a commanding presence—both inside and out.’ But is this tower a harmonious addition or a jarring contrast? We’ll let you decide.
The lower volume of Daniël is a masterclass in indoor-outdoor living. Glass doors framed in rust-colored aluminum open onto two patios flanking a spacious living, dining, and kitchen area. Internally, a pale cement floor creates continuity with the patios, while cedar-lined ceilings add warmth. Here’s a thought: does the use of modern materials like aluminum betray the mid-century spirit, or does it elevate it?
Adjacent to this space, the split-level volume houses storage and utility areas on the lower level, accessible via a repurposed driveway—now reduced, unpaved, and equipped with bicycle storage. Upstairs, the bedrooms feature timber-lined walls and green linoleum floors, creating what Felt calls a ‘calm and tactile’ atmosphere. The studio notes, ‘Our material choices are a contemporary reinterpretation of classic mid-century palettes.’ But does this reinterpretation stay true to the era, or does it cross into something entirely new?
Externally, the renovated façades and rust-colored aluminum window frames echo the original timber windows while offering modern performance. Founded in 2014 by Jasper Stevens and Karel Verstraeten, Felt continues to make waves in Ghent’s architectural scene. Recent projects like Atelier Avondzon and Macadam Atelier’s sawtooth roof extension and Delmulle Delmulle Architecten’s glass-brick infill home showcase the city’s dynamic design landscape.
Photography by Stijn Bollaert captures Daniël’s essence, but the real question remains: Is this renovation a respectful nod to mid-century design, or a bold departure from it? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
