![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-.jpg)
Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle
This office building in the Belgian hills by architects Atelier Vens Vanbelle has a brick facade broken by huge windows overlooking the surrounding farmland.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-1.jpg)
The offices, waiting room and kitchen open out to the views on two sides, turning away from the adjacent street and restaurant.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-9.jpg)
The building is cantilevered at the back to accommodate staff parking beneath.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-10.jpg)
Here are some more details from the architects:
The building site is situated at the end of a small street in the small village of Horebeke in the Flemish Ardennes, next to a restaurant. The view from the site is splendid: the landscape slopes slowly and offers an overview to an untouched agricultural area spread over two kilometers.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-8.jpg)
This kind of impressive landscapes asks for discrete admiration, just like the design assignment itself.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-7.jpg)
A notary must be a building that establishes itself in a neutral way and it should be accessible for each type of visitor.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-6.jpg)
We believe building in a landscape like this asks for the same kind of neutrality.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-17.jpg)
This was translated in a rough brick volume which is semi-closed to the street side and the restaurant.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-5.jpg)
The entrance to the building is marked by a white volume made of steel plates.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-3.jpg)
Walking through this white volume, the visitor enters a corridor looking out over a patio on the right side.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-4.jpg)
On the left side the corridor bends to the waiting room which opens cone-shaped to the landscape.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-14.jpg)
The kitchen and the offices open in a similar way to the outside. The peaceful landscape is framed through the windows like colourful paintings in the white interior.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-13.jpg)
The back of the building cantilevers over the sloping terrain. The staff can park under the building and the cars form no visual obstruction from within the building.
![Notariaat by Atelier Vens Vanbelle Maarten Vanbelle by Atelier Vens Vanbelle](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/06/dzn_Maarten-Vanbelle-by-Atelier-Vens-Vanbelle-16.gif)
Click above for larger image
location: Horebeke, Belgium
construction: 2009
architect: atelier vens vanbelle
See also:
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