Barcode Architects, led by an architectural team that included Dirk Peters, Caro van de Venne, Tim Brans and Wim Sjerps, designed this fabulous 220 square meter house in the Netherlands in 2017. Conceived as a minimalist geometric composition that combines solid and empty and based on the wishes of its client in terms of openness and privacy, this team of professionals designed a living space that integrates perfectly with the garden, as well as closed rooms that would allow the couple “close the door.” Simplicity, quality of material, and contemporary appearance were key aspects of design.
Viewed from the outside, the solid-hollow composition can be clearly read. A long transparent façade encloses the open space – the “void” – and two concrete blocks closed at both ends mark the “solid” private spaces, which contain the private residential spaces. To achieve optimum exposure to the sun and maximize the size of the garden, the villa is conceived as a single elongated box. The full glass façade opens the living room towards the garden, and allows daylight to breathe life into the space.
The exterior walls have a smooth and reflective finish – with multiple layers of hand polish – that gives it a delicate and luxurious effect.
Inside, the private areas have an intimate atmosphere with rooms that show their own identity.