restaurant De Pastorie

On a heritage-rich site in the heart of Lichtaart, AID Architecten carried out a modest and respectful restoration and expansion of restaurant De Pastorie. The intervention demonstrates how contemporary architecture and historical reverence can coexist in a subtle symbiosis.

The site, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages, holds a rich layering of the past. The current parsonage, built in 1675, stands within a domain that once functioned as a fortified site and later became a Norbertine parsonage estate. Despite the disappearance of the original context, the heritage value of the parsonage and its defining presence in the village have been preserved.

Restaurant De Pastorie

Since the 1990s, restaurant De Pastorie has been located in this characterful building, under the inspired leadership of chef Carl Wens and his wife Loes Van Beylen. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star and received an impressive 16 out of 20 in the Gault&Millau guide. On warm days, guests can enjoy the manicured garden and magnificent terrace, which was previously named the most beautiful terrace in Belgium by Gault&Millau. In 2023, their son Wout Wens joined the business, bringing fresh energy and ambitious future plans. A comprehensive expansion and renovation became necessary to enable the restaurant to grow in a sustainable and high-quality way.

Respectful Design with Attention to Heritage and Landscape

The design includes the replacement of the 20th-century annex and the additions on the left side. As a result, the original volume of the parsonage is once again freed, as it historically used to be. The new extension manifests as a low garden wall that wraps around the parsonage, inspired by the existing garden walls and the original utilitarian function of the site.

Restoring the Past, Envisioning the Future

Three openings are created on the ground floor of the parsonage, each at the junction where old meets new. These are subtly framed with a thin metal profile, as a deliberate and legible intervention. Based on historical research, a previously lost window on the upper floor is also reinstated, using original bricks and a limewash finish in harmony with the existing facade. The woodwork, shutters, and dormer window at the front of the old parsonage have been meticulously restored, entirely in line with the historical model. Inside the old part of the building, the original parsonage floor plan is retained, with only minimal structural interventions.

There will be space for a “private dining” room, and the passageways to the new extension will be flanked by inviting wine cabinets. The décor will be updated with soft terracotta‑coloured Belgian linen. For the extension, a warm contemporary interior has been chosen that pays homage to the past: elegant materials such as dark bronze, walnut veneer and velvet textiles are combined with natural wooden sunshades. Only stand‑out elements such as the mirrored bar are deliberately distinct and contemporary. The artwork above the bar and in the existing rectory is by the Belgian artist Florence Coenraets (SpazioNobile). Particular attention has been paid to acoustics, with an acoustic felt ceiling integrated between the structural stained larch beams. Technical services have also been discreetly incorporated here. A panoramic view of the historic rear garden and a restrained Zen experience with the hortus conclusus and water feature in the front garden form the heart of the interior. Visible walls of beautifully patinated brick accentuate the walled intimacy of the rectory and are placed on an equal footing with the listed lime‑washed walls. Small details—such as softly lit linen curtains that act as privacy screens on the benches—evoke the atmosphere of the past but with a distinctly contemporary design.

Landscape

To reinforce the garden‑wall concept, the building is surrounded by lush greenery. Planting beds emphasise edible crops. At the rear, the existing utilitarian garden is expanded with extra planters for vegetables, fruit and herbs, so its original purpose is not only preserved but enhanced. At the front, paving with small cobblestones creates a spacious, inviting area—a place where people can meet against the atmospheric backdrop of the charming rectory. To accentuate the symmetry of the façade, additional green zones are created on either side of the entrance; these elegantly mark the access and soften the paved area visually. A green zone is retained around the monumental Catalpa to the left of the entrance, ensuring that this characterful tree has plenty of room to grow and flourish in future. The expansion of De Pastorie exemplifies how heritage care and contemporary needs can enhance one another: by respecting old structures and complementing them with gentle architecture, not only is the past preserved, but the future of this special place is assured.