Where the undulating landscape of the Dutch dunes transitions to the lower polder area, Villa BW has emerged. The building, designed by Mecanoo, attracts attention above all with its irregular shape and a façade clad with ceramic cladding that alludes in colour to the local nature. The house is inscribed into the natural landscape, and its interior is characterised by austerity and a strong relationship with the environment.
The villa is 308 square metres in size and has four storeys, two of which are underground. Thanks to the natural slope of the site, both the ground floor and the levels below are in direct contact with the surrounding landscape. On the south-east side, the bond with the slightly steep garden has been strengthened by the introduction of two open spaces sheltered by curtain walls. The twisted finial, on the other hand, was created by combining two overlapping planes. On the dune side, the architects planned a pitched roof, characteristic of the surrounding buildings. On the polder side, on the other hand, it takes a flat form.
The strong relationship of the building to its surroundings is also apparent in the façade and the roofing. The entire building is finished with a single material – custom-made ceramic cladding. The shades of the glazed surface were chosen to harmonise with nature. The five tones of grey, green and blue allude to the coastal landscape that changes with the seasons. The harmony of the colours used makes Villa BW blend in skilfully with its surroundings.
The selection of the proportions of the individual colours was preceded by tests and studies of the glazes. Samples were analysed on site, assessing their colour, texture and gloss in varying light. The tiles were laid vertically and the joints were also kept in a single line on the roof slopes. The patterns on them are unique and unrepeatable, and the curved planes create smooth, uniform surfaces.
The interior of the house is very austere, even ascetic. It is planned around a central wooden core. The glazed walls let in plenty of daylight, which reaches all the way down to the basement level. The accommodation consists of a living room, dining room, kitchen, living room, master bedroom with bathroom, sauna, office and art studio. An enclosed element running the full height of the house houses the communication risers and sanitary facilities. In addition to the ubiquitous wood, terrazzo predominates here. The space is complemented by carefully framed views of the surrounding nature, framed in wood like moving pictures.
Project: Mecanoo
Photographs: Ossip Architectuurfotografie
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