Hidden in the Forest- A Minimalist Home Extension That Feels Like a Retreat - Jach's house

Tucked into a forested area in Malmedy, Belgium, Jack's house is not a completely new residence, but a carefully designed extension that expands an existing home. Designed by the Belgian studio Crahegemijn Architects and completed in 2022, the project explores how a compact architectural addition can adapt to changing living needs over time. Rather than competing with the original house, the extension sits quietly within the wooded site, creating a new living space that feels closely connected to the surrounding landscape. The extension takes the form of a simple cube measuring roughly seven meters on each side. This small but efficient volume was designed with a bioclimatic approach, meaning its form, orientation, and materials respond to the surrounding environment. Inside, the current program includes a bedroom and bathroom connected to the ground floor of the existing house, along with a flexible multi-purpose room that opens visually toward the forest. This adaptable space can function as a home office, playroom, or relaxation area, allowing the house to evolve as the occupants needs change. One of the most distinctive features of the project is how the new structure connects to the original building. Instead of a heavy or enclosed corridor, the architects introduced a light glass walkway that links the two volumes while maintaining visual transparency. This subtle bridge allows the extension to feel both attached and independent. In fact, the new volume can also be accessed directly from outside, making it possible for the space to function as a separate living unit in the future if needed. Material choices also play a key role in blending the architecture with its environment. The exterior is clad in court and steel, whose warm rust-colored surface echoes the tones of tree bark and forest soil. Above, a fully vegetated green roof helps the structure merge into the landscape while improving thermal performance. Around the building, the architects intentionally kept the vegetation natural and slightly wild, preserving the character of the forest undergrowth and reinforcing the feeling that the house is simply another element within the landscape rather than something imposed on it.