The extension of a country house in Lierde was conceived as a reinterpretation or ‘re-use’ of the existing typology. The L-shaped plan features a recessed ‘open corner’, with two identical gable roof sections interlocking, mirrored along a 45° axis. The design blends seamlessly into its surroundings, enhanced by silver cladding that evokes the image of a doubled shed—a motif reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ends of Barns series.

Inside, the monolithic exterior opens into a continuous, open space. Like a house of cards, both the walls and roof are constructed from the same material. The solidity of the outer corner is counterbalanced by the dematerialization of the inner corner, made possible by interlocking roof canopies acting as giant beams. The exposed CLT shell reveals the construction process, highlighting its structural logic.

The typological strategies applied in the project can be read on different scales. At an urban level, the L shaped extension echoes the initial stages of forming a square barn, typical of the surrounding area. The structural logic of the existing barn—bearing perimeter walls and an A-frame—is reinterpreted as a shell structure, transforming the traditional type. By altering the span direction and engaging the roof canopies, both sides can become transparent. Drawing inspiration from various barns and their corner conditions, the solution is typified, abstracted and geometrically idealized, evolving into a formal and artistic exploration. The barn is deconstructed into its essential components and reassembled to suit the specific context and material translation, resulting in a contemporary reinterpretation of the type.