The picnic table that fits the picture

Heverlee, Belgium

At home

Contemporary brick house with a dark-clad garden extension opening onto a concrete terrace, where a green round Virus picnic table with five attached stools sits in the foreground beside a cushioned outdoor bench and a large evergreen tree.

Architecture firm A2D renovated this 1970s home in Heverlee with a spacious extension leading into the garden. This impressive transformation into a contemporary residence retains a distinct hint of nostalgia. With timeless Louis Poulsen pendant lights, Wishbone and Ant chairs, and many other design classics, the interior masterfully combines modern and vintage touches.

Slide open the large glass doors, and the garden becomes an extension of the interior—or is it the other way around? Either way, the sleek façade and timeless concrete flooring are beautifully paired with playful, warm elements. Natural wood, the transparency between the planks, and last but not least, the quirky Virus table contribute to the overall esthetic with both color and form—without drawing too much attention.

The greatest value of a picnic table like Virus, however, lies in its functionality. Virus was designed to adapt flexibly to small spaces and to accommodate the exact number of users in the most compact way possible. For this family of five, each member gets their own seat, just like at the kitchen table indoors, where five seats are also perfectly arranged.

But what happens if the family grows, you might wonder? They’ll simply sell the table and replace it with a six-seater like Anker! With sustainable furniture pieces from Extremis, life can indeed be wonderfully simple. And no matter the setup, there’s always one that fits the picture...

View from the kitchen through fully opened sliding glass doors to a minimalist garden with a narrow swimming pool; indoors, a round dining table and pendant light sit beneath a wood-slat ceiling, while the green Virus table is visible outside on the terrace.
Poolside view of a renovated brick home with a black garden extension, open terrace, built-in white kitchen area, outdoor sofa, and a green Virus picnic table placed near the lawn under a bright blue sky.

© Pictures by Jim Van Loo
Architects: A2D architecture 2 design

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