January 10, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
FIVE YEARS, FIVE HOMES
words Onur Baştürk
photos
Portrait / Charlotte Lauwers. Bungalow Sint Martens Latem + Kortrijk Townhouse / Eric Petschek. Palingbeek + Pied a terre Brussels + Sint-Martens-Latem / Piet-Albert Goethals
A conversation with Decancq Vercruysse Architects.
Founded in 2021 by Hannes Decancq and Emiel Vercruysse, Decancq Vercruysse Architects has, in a short time, established a clear and composed presence within Belgium’s contemporary residential landscape. Based in Kortrijk, the studio works fluidly across architecture and interiors, approaching each project as a single composition shaped by light, material, and everyday life.
The practice is defined by the founders’ complementary backgrounds. Decancq brings technical expertise grounded in years spent on construction sites, while Vercruysse—who previously worked at Vincent Van Duysen’s studio—contributes a refined sensitivity to materiality, proportion, and high-end residential atmospheres. Together, they share a belief that architecture should be human-centred, precise, and built to last.
Marking their fifth year, we spoke with the studio about the five residential projects they have completed across Belgium, and the shared architectural language that connects them—one shaped by dialogue, clarity, and a commitment to long-term quality.
Palingbeek - Photos: Piet-Albert Goethals
A CONSISTENT WAY OF THINKING
As you mark your fifth anniversary, how would you describe the core design approach of Decancq Vercruysse Architects today? Which values have remained unchanged since the beginning?
From the beginning, our ambition has been to create homes that evoke comfort, intimacy, and a sense of safety. We strive to design architecture that is closely connected to nature, creating spaces that blur the boundary between inside and outside through the use of natural, warm materials. This approach has only grown stronger over the years and continues to define our work today.
LIVING AS A DESIGN RESEARCH
Townhouse Kortrijk functions both as your home and as a space for ongoing design research. How did living in the house influence its spatial organisation, material choices, and the relationship between interior and exterior?
My days tend to be quite hectic, so the primary goal was to create a home that allows me to truly unwind at the end of the day. As my wife and I both draw a lot of calm from nature—much like walking through a forest—we wanted the house to feel as natural and grounding as possible. Given the townhouse’s location in the city centre, outdoor space was limited. We therefore made full use of the enclosed patio, carefully planting it with trees and greenery. The living room is located on the lower level, where filtered light and surrounding vegetation create a cocooning atmosphere. Upstairs, the kitchen and terrace are flooded with sunlight, offering a contrasting openness.
Materiality plays a crucial role here. The living room is entirely clad in wood, reinforcing the warm, sheltered feeling we were aiming for and making the house a place of retreat.
Bungalow Sint Martens Latem - Photos: Eric Petschek
OPENNESS, ECONOMY, AND CONTEXT
In your Brussels pied-à-terre, professional and private life coexist within a compact footprint. How did you balance spatial efficiency with comfort, and how did the Art Deco context inform your decisions?
We worked with an open-plan layout for the living and dining areas, while subtly defining zones through a low, custom-designed furniture piece. This allows for openness without losing a sense of separation. The apartment has a natural flow, yet certain spaces can be closed off using refined metal and glass partitions. These details were directly inspired by the Art Deco context—a period in which metal craftsmanship plays a prominent role. This language was extended into other custom elements throughout the apartment, creating a cohesive dialogue between past and present.
WORKING WITH WHAT ALREADY EXISTS
In the Sint-Martens-Latem bungalow, you chose to preserve and reinforce the mid-century character rather than replace it. How do you decide when to preserve, reinterpret, or transform an existing building?
Working with existing structures always begins with thorough research into the building’s original elements and its historical context. We look for meaningful references, often within the same period, and select key elements around which to build the design.
At the same time, flexibility is essential. We have learned that preserving everything is not always the right choice. Sometimes, transforming or reinterpreting a specific element leads to a stronger overall design. These decisions can be difficult, but it is our responsibility as architects to ensure that each intervention contributes coherently to the project as a whole.
Kortrijk Townhouse - Photos: Eric Petschek
ARCHITECTURE IN DIALOGUE WITH LANDSCAPE
The Palingbeek project reconnects a farmhouse to its rural surroundings. How did architecture and landscape speak to one another here, particularly through the terrace and roof design?
The existing farmhouse was largely closed off from its surroundings. We retained part of the original structure, which now accommodates more intimate functions such as bedrooms and bathrooms. In contrast, we added a new volume that opens the house towards the surrounding landscape. This dialogue between old and new strengthens both structures. The covered and heated terrace plays a key role, allowing the clients to experience the outdoors throughout the year and reinforcing the connection between architecture and landscape.
In the wooded Sint-Martens-Latem residence, influences from Japanese architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright are subtly present. How did you balance rootedness and openness in a house that anchors itself in nature yet opens fully to the forest?
Material choices were essential in anchoring the house within its forested context. The brown brick almost appears as if it could have been formed from the forest soil itself, emerging from the ground through a sequence of walls and stairs. Wood forms the second key material. Finished in a darker tone, it avoids excessive contrast with the surrounding tree trunks. Large windows lighten the composition and open the house to its surroundings. Positioned on all sides, they create a continuous visual connection, giving inhabitants the feeling of living within and looking through the forest.
MATERIAL AS IDENTITY
Across these projects, materiality plays a defining role. How do materials shape atmosphere and identity in your work, and what ultimately guides your choices?
Materiality is fundamental to our work. We carefully select materials that resonate with both the context and the client. Together with form and proportion, materials give a project its identity and sense of place, something we consider essential.
Pied a terre Brussels - Photos: Piet-Albert Goethals
REFERENCES AND PRACTICE
Looking more broadly at influences, which architects, movements, or disciplines continue to inform your thinking today?
During my studies, I spent time in the United States, where I had the opportunity to experience a wide range of architecture, from Frank Lloyd Wright to John Lautner. What struck me most was the freedom of these designs and their generous use of natural, warm materials. These houses felt deeply inviting and intimate, and that quality continues to inspire our studio’s work. We aim to translate this sense of warmth and spatial generosity into contemporary projects, adapted to today’s contexts and needs.
WORKING AS A DUO
As a duo, how do you divide roles within the practice, and where do your perspectives complement one another most strongly?
Architecture has become increasingly complex, making collaboration more essential than ever. The era of the all-encompassing architect is long behind us. Hannes and I come from very different backgrounds. His education is strongly construction-focused, while mine is rooted in interior architecture and design. Within the studio, this division allows me to focus on design and spatial concepts, while Hannes oversees licensing and construction. This clarity brings calm and efficiency to our practice. We each invest our energy in what we do best and what we truly enjoy, which is something our clients deeply appreciate.
Sint-Martens-Latem - Photos: Piet-Albert Goethals
