Felt, a Belgian architecture studio, has unveiled Heifort, a stunning and innovative 'house for life' for a retired couple in Ghent, Belgium. This remarkable design is not just a home; it's a testament to the studio's commitment to creating spaces that adapt and evolve with their inhabitants, ensuring a comfortable and accessible living environment throughout their golden years. But here's where it gets controversial... Is this the future of housing design, or is it an over-designed, unnecessary extravagance?
Heifort is a 130-square-metre home located in the suburbs of Ghent, designed with the concept of 'ageing-in-place' in mind. The goal was to create a space that would be accessible, level-access, and single-storey, allowing the couple to maintain their independence and comfort as they age. The design features tall, open living spaces divided by exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls, creating a sense of openness and natural light throughout the home.
Felt explains, "The starting point was the idea of a house for life, a home that is calm, readable, and generous, yet able to adapt as its inhabitants age." The studio has masterfully woven living rooms and bedrooms with more compact, supportive zones, creating a natural logic that is easy to understand and comfortable to use, now and in the future. The project is about precision rather than excess, with every decision tested against daily use, long-term comfort, and spatial calm.
One of the most striking features of Heifort is its large copper-clad roof. The untreated copper panels will naturally weather over time, adding character and texture to the home. The roof also houses large dormers that bring in natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. At the front of the home, an attic guest room for visitors and grandchildren has been tucked beneath the large roof, accessed via a powder blue-coloured spiral staircase.
The interior of Heifort reveals the CLT structure, which Felt describes as giving the home a 'self-evident construction logic'. The repeated CLT portal frames create a surprising longitudinal view through a series of rounded openings, while the transverse CLT walls remain visible in their natural spruce texture. The polished concrete floor grounds the house, complemented by carefully chosen colours in the built-in joinery.
While the street-facing facade of Heifort has been kept understated and blank, at the rear, large sliding glass doors open the living area out into the garden. A small patio with seating leads onto a lawn and planters around a tree, creating a peaceful and private outdoor space. The design is a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics, ensuring the couple can enjoy a high-quality living environment for years to come.
But this design is not without its critics. Some may argue that the design is over-designed and unnecessary, especially the large copper-clad roof and the attic guest room. Others may question the practicality of the design, such as the large portals without doors and the exposed CLT walls. However, the design is a testament to the studio's commitment to creating spaces that adapt and evolve with their inhabitants, ensuring a comfortable and accessible living environment throughout their golden years.
What do you think? Is this the future of housing design, or is it an over-designed, unnecessary extravagance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
