When does a villa renovation require an architect?
Permit-exempt renovation work may still require an architect. Check structural changes, facades and roofs before work begins.
The short answer
Under current Flemish guidance, structural work on a villa requires an architect to design and supervise the work even where it qualifies for an exemption from the environmental permit. Work that requires a notification or permit generally also requires an architect, subject to specified exceptions. The permit question and the architect question therefore need separate answers.
A load-bearing wall changes the assessment
Replacing a kitchen or moving a non-load-bearing partition is often straightforward. Replacing a load-bearing wall with a beam affects structural stability. Flemish guidance gives this as an example of interior work that may be permit-exempt if the conditions are met, while still requiring an architect for design and supervision. The size of the opening alone does not establish whether an exemption applies. See also which work may be carried out without an environmental permit.
Check facades and roofs separately
Some facade and roof work may also qualify for a permit exemption, provided that conditions including unchanged building volume and no deterioration in energy performance are met. If structural stability is affected, an architect is still needed. An extension or work on an inventoried or protected villa may follow different rules. Municipal planning requirements and heritage status must also be checked. For larger plans, read the advice on an environmental permit for villa renovation.
Keep a clear record for the next owner
Compare the proposed work with the property’s authorised existing condition before starting. Keep the drawings, the architect’s design and supervision brief, any structural notes, and the authority’s decision or written confirmation together. This helps a future buyer understand what was changed and how it was assessed. Exclusiv’ Home can organise those documents clearly when selling a distinctive property.
Official source
Flemish government – renovating a home (Dutch-language guidance) (content checked on 7 November 2026).
About this advice · General information for homes in Flanders. The applicable procedure depends on the specific work, authorised existing condition, local rules and any heritage protection. Ask the municipality and, where required, an architect to assess your plans before work starts.