House Paap

House Paap in Buizingen, Belgium: Thonet brings together old and new in a refurbished 1960s bungalow

Perched on the edge of the Kluisbos forest, House Paap is a charming retreat that exudes 1960s flair. This private residence in Buizingen, a village located around 15 kilometres from Brussels, was fully refurbished by Architecten De Bruyn. To maximise the interior space, the architects added two extensions to the now 240 m² house. The first contains a kitchen area which opens onto a terrace at ground level, as well as a master bedroom on the first floor. The second, located at the rear of the property, subtly expands the dining area and allows more light into the house while ensuring privacy from neighbouring properties. Thanks to the difference in level between the dining area and the kitchen, the two spaces function autonomously while remaining closely connected.

The client and architects prioritised conserving the existing atmosphere throughout the entire project, so the interior was renovated to resemble its original state as closely as possible. The existing staircase, trellis work on the sloping interior ceiling and parquet flooring were restored to their former glory. “The materials of the newly added interior spaces were kept subtle and simple in order to create a connection and harmony with the existing or restored ones,” explains architect Soetkin Goddaert.

Architecten De Bruyn’s overall approach of combining different architectural eras through timeless design choices is reflected in the selection of Thonet furniture for the project. The classic S 1071 table functions as a focal point in the dining room. Its fine, elegantly curved tubular steel frame is combined with a simple oak tabletop. Since the tabletop can be extended with panels of different sizes, it also offers flexible usage when hosting guests.

The table is complemented by four S 32 and two S 64 cantilever chairs, the latter being the version with armrests. With natural canework for the seat and backrest, and crafted from oak to match the table, they replicate its natural aesthetic and bring warmth to the room, despite their sleek tubular steel frames. Among the tubular steel furniture models, the cantilever chair S 32/S 64 is especially versatile. At House Paap, its appealing combination of new and old makes it integrate seamlessly with the rest of the room. While the solid wood and canework represent tradition, the frame represents the present and future. “The apparent simplicity of the design fits the atmosphere of the 1960s bungalow perfectly,” says Soetkin Goddaert, commenting on the choice of these models for the dining area. “It's an all-time classic; it looks like this furniture has always been there. But at the same time, it does feel modern.”

Upstairs, the S 64 SPVNDR with castors was selected for a home office space. The lighter oak edges provide a contrast to the dark brown nubuck leather of the upholstered seat, the black mesh fabric of the backrest and the black powder-coated frame. The swivel chair offers a comfortable seating option for working from home while retaining a warm, homely atmosphere that doesn't feel overly sterile or office-like.