Designed in 1977 as his own home and architectural practice, this villa in Geel, northern Belgium, offers a rare insider’s look into the work of architect Louis Wilms. Conceived as a place where work and home life could overlap, the house combines expressive form with a highly considered approach to daily living.

Its defining feature is a deep saddle roof that extends across the building, creating generous interior volumes and a distinctive silhouette. Exposed timber, brick and steel remain visible throughout, revealing the construction while lending the interiors a strong material character. Beneath the roofline, living spaces, work areas and bedrooms flow into one another, connected by a sculptural spiral staircase and framed by large glazed openings overlooking the garden.

The house also reflects a longstanding dialogue between architecture and art. The upper levels once provided a setting for the textile works of Liberta Wilms-Ferket, the architect’s partner, whose three-dimensional installations occupied the spaces beneath the roof.

Outside, a mature garden surrounds the house, with established planting, sheltered terraces and carefully screened views reinforcing the sense of privacy. Set on a 1,074sqm plot, the property extends to 415 square metres and remains a remarkably intact example of an architect’s personal vision. The villa is for sale via ArchitectenWoning.

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