Living on the edge
This project is a private assignment for an entrepreneur from the city center, with the question; how could the family find peace on the edge of that same city? The site is located where the city and nature meet, and therefore has an obvious recognition that cannot be ignored.
In the earlier times people here used to work with shapes for houses that were pure and plain, thatch was used as a cover for the roofs and the walls where made out of stones and a clay plaster.
We were challenged to fuse together traditional ideals with a contemporary house design, a cubistic shape placed in a desolate landscape, where all urban feelings are gone when you look at the surroundings. Contemporary rustic living was chosen as a concept to mix the two in pure form.
New Dutch Design
When working with pure forms it’s also important to look at simplicity, durability and expression. The mix of two very different but recognisable materials in the Dutch landscape results in a both a modern and traditional structure. The fine texture of the thatch in combination with the smooth white plaster surfaces a house that is formed very modern and traditional at the same time. The compactness of the thatch gives optimal protection against the elements. The interior successfully combines natural materials creating something unique. By designing a natural interior a certain tranquility arises throughout each room and now there is also room left for the residents to restyle their space continuously.
One of the priorities while designing this house was to provide the residents with a magnificent view of the landscape. This was successfully done within each room in the house. Daylight falls deep into the house and lights up the space within, it gives a dynamic character during the day, while at night the house radiates its light to its surroundings and thereby marking his position in the landscape.
Lay-out
Via the ramp you can park the car in the basement, there are also two extra storage rooms and an entrance to go up the stairs and enter the main living space with a beautiful open kitchen where all the modern comforts are integrated. When walking through this open space towards the large transparent slide doors, you immediately get pulled to go into the garden. Here you can sit and relax or walk on the deck to oversee the whole landscape.
The main entrance is surprisingly spacious and with his transparent separation to the kitchen a lot of light is coming in. Here you can enter the scullery, toilet and wardrobe or walk straight up the stairs to the second level. On this level you can go to the main bedroom, the second bathroom and three other bedrooms. In the master bedroom the residents can choose to have a spacious shower or to go and take a bath before or after going to bed. When sitting in bath or lying in bed, you still have a great open view at the landscape.
Year: 2010
Location: Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Client: Private
Phase: Completed
Contractor: C.L. de Boer & Zn BV
Thatch: Voogt Rietdekkers
