House Wiva by Open Y Office
Ghent studio Open Y Office has extended a house in Belgium, adding a concrete structure that could also function as a standalone residence (+ slideshow).
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_0sq.jpg)
Located in the town of Herent, the extension was designed by Open Y Office with stark concrete walls that contrast against the white-painted brick exterior of the old house, which is a converted post office.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_11.jpg)
"The inhabitants wanted an extension that was flexible enough to be transformed in time to a separate unit with its own bed and bathroom," said the architects.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_14.jpg)
The volume of the building appears as two rectangular boxes stacked on top of one another, with the upper storey slightly overlapping the ground floor below.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_1sq.jpg)
An open-plan living area occupies the first floor and overlooks a garden with a new swimming pool.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_12.jpg)
A glass passageway leads through to the existing house, plus large timber-framed windows open the room out to a long and narrow balcony.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_9.jpg)
The ground floor below contains storage areas and a garage with timber panelled doors.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_16.jpg)
Concrete steps with a steel balustrade lead into the house via an entrance on the first floor.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_5.jpg)
Other residential extensions we've recently featured include a London home with a walk-on glass roof and an extension in Dublin covered with terracotta tiles that look like bricks.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_8.jpg)
See more residential extensions »
See more architecture and design in Belgium »
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_4.jpg)
Photography is by Tom Janssens.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_15.jpg)
Here's a short description from the architects:
House Wiva
This OYO story takes you to Herent, where the extension of a private residence captures its surroundings.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_7.jpg)
The inhabitants wanted an extension that was flexible enough to be transformed in time to a separate unit with its own bed and bathroom.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_6.jpg)
OYO emphasised the contrast between the new shape and the old volume, which used to be an post office. You can see the concrete floating above the garden.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_2.jpg)
From the point of view of the residents, the extension creates exciting views from the new living room. The two volumes are connected with a light wooden footbridge that functions as entrance but also clarifies the different volumes.
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_24.jpg)
Architects: OYO - Open Y Office
Location: Herent, Belgium
Type: Single family house extension
Area: House extension 110 m2
Year: 2010
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_17.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_23.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_18.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_22.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_19.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_21.gif)
![House Wiva by Oyo](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/09/dezeen_House-Wiva-by-Oyo_20.gif)