Wachter House

Here Jo Crepain’s creative efforts have been directed at a house in woodland belonging to a small town not far from the Belgian city of Amberes. The basic criterion for the design was the site itself, surrounded by attractive countryside, with three old beech trees, the dry bed of a stream, and a not very favorable position. The project involved more than 23 preliminary plans and finally produced a collage of different areas with clearly defined functions.

The plan of the house is in the form of three adjoining rectangles, one of which is divided in three. The building consists of four distinct parts: two identical blocks arranged side by side and separated by an internal patio, another unit perpendicular to these, and a fourth unit adjoining the third. The first two structures comprise the entrance and are symbolically linked by four columns. Together these form a virtual facade concealing the internal patio. Real access to the house is via the third structure, which is very narrow and long. The fourth unit is like an annex to the third and completes the facilities of the house.

Entrance to the building is at the end of the west elevation of the main section, while the linking stairs are positioned at the opposite end. Jo Crepain has transformed this long, slender space into an architectural journey extending for 144 ft (44 m) and leading the visitor through the modern paintings collection displayed on the walls.