An Innovative Solution for Limited Space and the Urgency for Sustainability

Challenges such as limited space and the urgency for sustainability are prevalent in today's construction landscape. The Periscope project by Claerhout – Van Biervliet Architects offers an innovative solution, including a transformation of our perception of reality. The Periscope House is a residence, built completely below terrain level. It has a large central patio in the heart of the building, and a contour of outdoor space, both below ground.

Periscope mirror up, redirecting the view of the underground living space
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Outdoor contour of periscope mirrors with upper mirror up
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Outdoor contour of periscope mirrors seen from beneath the lower mirror part to the underground living room
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

The idea of a subterranean building offers multiple advantages, including excellent thermal insulation against both heat and cold. It also has less visual impact on the landscape. Underground spaces are also challenging, since they often provide a dreary, dark, and unpleasant atmosphere to live or work in. They also lack views of the surrounding landscape. The Periscope House offers a solution to bring the necessary light and view to these underground spaces.

View from the underground living room with upper mirror up and lower mirror down
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

View from the bar into the underground living room
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Section with lower periscope mirror down and upper mirror rising, so that light and view appear in the underground living room
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Though the building itself is a fixed subterranean structure, it has a contour of movable double mirror structures, functioning as a Periscope. Following the principle of a periscope, these double mirrors are set at a 45-degree angle. The mirrors are mounted on structures that can be independently raised in order to optimize light and view for the underground levels. The building has 2 subterranean levels and, according to the use of the space at a certain moment, the mirrors can be put at the level where light and view is requested. At night, when light and view on the scenery is no longer required, the mirror structures descend to disappear in the landscape again. This way, natural light and scenic views can penetrate deep into the structure, making this periscope structure an actual "space enhancer."

Section with lower periscope mirror up and upper mirror fully up, so that light and view appear on the minus 1 level
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Full section with lower periscope mirror up and upper mirror down, to make the building disappear in the landscape
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Outdoor contour of periscope mirrors with both mirrors down
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

The mobility of the mirrored parts surrounding the building serves another sustainability purpose. The upper mirror construction serves as a plant container for hanging plants and shrubs, offering lush green deep into the building. During the day, the mirrors are elevated using solar-powered engines. As the sun sets, the mirrors descend, slowly enclosing the building again. Thanks to the heavy planters, lifted in order to raise the mirrors above the landscape, the potential gravitational energy of this descending mass can be converted into mechanical energy, which subsequently drives a generator to produce electrical energy. Even though it might appear as a rather high-tech solution, the technologies involved are common and are used for other purposes in the built environment.

Left periscope mirror up, redirecting the view of the underground living space; right periscope mirror down
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Close up of the periscope contour mirror in upright position, reflecting the view of the underground living space
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

Close up of the periscope contour mirror in upright position, reflecting the view of the underground living space
Photo credit: @adriaanclaerhout

This Periscope House is focused on a residential application, but it is also useable in other contexts or functions, such as offices, cultural spaces, and museums, where this new potential of underground spaces can offer unexpected opportunities. The ultimate aim of the Periscope is to craft an innovative building that contributes to a more sustainable world. The Periscope system offers more than a reflection of reality - it revolutionizes our perception by entirely displacing it.

Architects Claerhout-Van Biervliet

Architects Claerhout-Van Biervliet is an award-winning studio with a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, and designers, based in Knokke, Belgium. Xaveer Claerhout holds a Master degree in History of Art and in Architecture. Barbara Van Biervliet holds a Master degree in Engineering and Architecture. Adriaan Claerhout is a creator-director with a focus on artistic movie-making. The Architects' studio is specialized in creating original concepts for architecture, interior, and product design, and in bringing these concepts to reality. Though the main focus lies on high-end residential architecture, the studio also creates projects in the cultural and office sector.