Typology of gardens in Flemish Brabant

Between Brussels, the Sonian Forest and the hills of Hageland

Flemish Brabant, particularly in the south-east of Brussels, presents a rare landscape diversity in Belgium. The rolling hills of Overijse and Hoeilaart, the residential villas of Tervuren, the village gardens in the heart of Oud-Heverlee, the urban plots of Kraainem and Wezembeek-Oppem: each municipality has its own identity.

What often characterises our clients in Flemish Brabant isthe immediate proximity to a remarkable environment— the Sonian Forest (Zoniënwoud), Tervuren Park, the vineyards of Overijse, the valleys of the Voer or the Dyle. A good garden project starts here by engaging with this landscape, never contradicting it.

Overijse and Hoeilaart — relief and great perspectives

In the region ofOverijseandHoeilaart, the landscape is hilly, open to the slopes, structured by ancient hedges and orchards. The plots are generally generous, sometimes sloping.

This context allows for ambitious projects: landscaped terraces, landscape walls, level changes, large structural plantings. The relief becomes a tool for composition.

Tervuren — residential villas and village centre

InTervuren, two typologies coexist. In the residential areas near the park, there are large, structured, tree-lined plots on the edge of the Sonian Forest. In the heart of the village, the gardens are narrower and deeper, behind street-facing houses — a more intimate, almost village-like atmosphere.

These two contexts call for two different approaches: simple and readable compositions for the villas, precise optimisation for the village gardens.

Kraainem, Wezembeek-Oppem, Rhode-Saint-Genèse — the residential outskirts

In the municipalities with facilities on the outskirts of Brussels, the plots are often residential, of intermediate size, with constraints similar to those of Brussels gardens: shading from neighbouring buildings, overlooking, and sometimes altered soils. The work focuses more on the plant structure and intimacy than on the relief.

Huldenberg and Oud-Heverlee — countryside and edges

Further east,Huldenberg, Oud-Heverleeand their deelgemeenten offer countryside plots, often large, on the edge of woods or agricultural areas. The projects there take on a more landscape-oriented dimension, sometimes resembling the Flemish country garden.