The Corten House by DMOA architecten is surrounded by weathered steel fins
Strips of pre-rusted Corten steel run in vertical columns around this Belgian house by DMOA Architecten (+ movie).
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_SQ011.jpg)
DMOA Architecten designed the three-storey home, for a couple in the Antwerp suburb of Kontich.
![The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_3](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_31.jpg)
The Corten House is named after the brand that produces the weathered steel panels that surround its walls and perimeter.
![The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_4](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_41.jpg)
The local studio welded the material onto perforated metal sheeting to form a cladding that screens the front of the building from passing traffic. The thin plate-like sections jut out from the facade like fins.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_61.jpg)
"We wanted a material that gave the feeling of a whole," said DMOA architect Matthias Mattelaer. "But it couldn't be just closed. It had to be a hybrid material, let light in, give views to the outside world, mark a boundary."
The fins extend across front-facing windows on the two upper floors to provide protection from the sun and privacy for bedrooms.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_91.jpg)
A pair of concealed double doors open out to reveal a garage, while a smaller doorway set into a black recess creates the main entrance point to the property.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_111.jpg)
Lengths of Corten steel are planted in the landscape around the property create a perimeter fence.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_101.jpg)
This border encloses an outdoor courtyard to one side of the house, where remnants and shavings of the material from the construction create a rusty-coloured area around the base of a ginkgo tree.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_121.jpg)
The courtyard leads to the rear of the property where large expanses of aluminium-framed glazing that contrast the rich, earth tones of the weathered steel are left unscreened.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_131.jpg)
Inside, the master suite is located on the first floor and includes a bedroom, bathroom, WC, and dual office and lounge area.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_141.jpg)
A central stairwell runs all the way up to the three children's bedrooms and additional washroom facilities on the top storey.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_151.jpg)
Sliding doors in the glass walls of the lower floor open from an open-plan living and dining room – with dark-stained oak floorboards and cabinets – onto a brick terrace and swimming pool bracketed by the metal columns.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_81.jpg)
"They glow in the rusty evening sun and give a twinkling show of shadows," said the architect.
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_468_21.jpg)
Photography is by Luc Roymans.
Project credits:
Architects: DMOA architecten (DMOA designed architecture, interior and landscaping (garden))
Architect in Charge: DMOA architecten
Collaborators: Benjamin Denef, Matthias Mattelaer, Stefanie Dieleman, Charlotte Gryspeerdt, Lien Gesquiere, Koen Paridaens engineering
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_1.gif)
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_2.gif)
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_3.gif)
![The Corten House by DMOA architects](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/The-Corten-House-by-DMOA-architects_dezeen_4.gif)