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Villa BH by Whim Architecture

By Eric Meunier

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Rotterdam-based studio Whim Architecture has designed the Villa BH project.

Completed in 2010, this 2,874 contemporary home is located in Burgh-Haamstede, the Netherlands.

Villa BH by Whim Architecture:

“Villa BH is a modern, (environment) friendly house with a remarkable experience of space, light and the natural context.

The villa is positioned on a rectangular plot of 34,75 x 50m, that is enclosed at 3 sides with similar plots and freestanding houses. On the back (north east) of the plot there is an old embankment with several tall trees, which existence is protected by local regulations. From the living program; the kitchen, dining area and living are all orientated on this embankment with the large trees. Here the villa has a facade width of 20 meters.

Villa BH is inhabited by a couple 60+ of age. To optimize the accessibility of the house all the program is situated on the ground floor level around a patio. This enclosed outdoor space provides the owners of the house the privacy they admired. As at the same time the patio makes the living area an enlightened space and gives it a facade to the south.

On the other side of the patio is the main bedroom situated. By making the facade of the patio totally from glass panels, the main bedroom has a great see through towards the existing embankment with the several tall trees as a central focus point on the plot.

The ceiling of the living area has an extra height in the shape of a sloped roof. The physical appearance of this area becomes hereby more specific and highly qualitative. Lifting the roof in this area also allows perspectives to the existing treetops, that give this plot its specific character, from all the different areas inside the building.

The villa is designed as environmental friendly with extra insulated facades, with 30cm of insulation. With this thick insulation there is a timber construction, that suits the thickness of the package. The roof is as well extra insulated and covered with sedum, that also regulates the distribution of the rainwater more gently. On the flat roof are 20 solar panels for electricity. A heat pump warms the interiors in the winter and cools them in the summer with natural temperature differences retrieved deep in the ground. As an extra heating there are 2 fireplaces for wood, one in the living and one in the TV-room”

Lifting the roof in the living allows perspectives to the existing treetops, that give this plot its specific character, from all the different areas inside the building.

Photos courtesy of Whim Architecture

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About Eric Meunier

Currently the Owner and Chief Executive of HODYO Design, Eric Meunier's expertise in the design industry spreads over 20 years. He was the driving force behind HomeDSGN's early success, founding this website in 2011. Today, he loves to channel his passion for design into remodeling houses and transforming interior spaces with his keen eye for detail and architectural finesse. Learn more about HomeDSGN's Editorial Process.

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