Our Office
YAMA is an interdisciplinary, architecture office based in Kruisem - Belgium.
Established in 2020 by Stan Guldemont and Lawrence Schietgat.
In our work we endeavor a coherence between the building and its landscape. How it occupies a modest position and reflects the powerful elements. A building with a pure structure, where the human scale is tangible and the pure materials are legible. A structure that connects the spaces but also separates them. A sequence with a hierarchy in which lights and views provide the desired intimacy or openness. Each space tailored to its user, in search of serenity, warmth and authenticity. Each element is stripped down to its essence, down to the smallest detail, so that there is a coherence between the interior, the architecture and the landscape.
Philosophy
In Japanese, you say and write “mountain” as 山 (pronounced as yama).
Climbing a mountain is an experience that envelops you entirely in the essence of nature, much like walking through a thoughtfully designed building can immerse you in the world of architecture. From the first step, there is a profound sense of anticipation. Each movement lifts you higher, drawing you deeper into the landscape, away from the mundane rhythms of daily life. Like a well-conceived building, where every space flows into the next, the climb creates a seamless harmony between your steps and the natural world around you. The feel of the earth beneath your feet, the shifting patterns of light through the trees, and the unfolding vistas form a meditative journey of discovery and connection.
The climb itself demands presence, focus, and balance, much like crafting an architectural piece calls for precision, attention, and care. Nature, in its raw form, feels like an unfinished sketch—its rugged terrain akin to a designer’s initial strokes. The worn paths are like the refined lines in architecture, guiding human movement through the built environment with intention and purpose.
Reaching the summit, you experience the reward: the view expands before you, much like an architectural crescendo that suddenly reveals the designer’s full vision. There, at the peak, you stand still, absorbing the magnitude, the intricate connections, and the harmony that nature has meticulously woven together. As in a building, you sense the spaciousness, the play of light and shadow, and the delicate balance of elements that converge to create a profound whole.
The mountain, like architecture, teaches us about balance, contrasts, and the deliberate placement of elements that shape an experience. Both nature and architecture are intertwined systems—each reminding us that we are part of something greater. They inspire, challenge, and transform us, offering deeper insights into the patterns of life, the beauty of design, and the spaces that foster connection and renewal.
Our Team
Architect, Designer & Partner
Graduated as an architect with a degree from the Sint-Lucas School of Architecture, Ghent. Previously he worked at the office of 'Coussée & Goris architecten' on different scales of projects before co-founding YAMA architects in 2020.
Architect, Designer & Partner
Graduated as an architect with a degree from the Sint-Lucas School of Architecture, Ghent. Previously he worked at the office of 'Coussée & Goris architecten' on different scales of projects before co-founding YAMA architects in 2020.