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Villa Room

Name: Visited
Price range: $

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This villa’s design and layout were defined by the activities and interests of the clients, a couple, one half of whom was a painter, who wanted a studio-cum-gallery with a view of the garden; the other, a sustainable energy and technology enthusiast, who wanted something that maximised the possibilities for controlling indoor conditions in an environmentally friendly manner.

The patio as the heart of the house

The villa is organized around an open space with a translucent roof. The northern light that enters the heart of the house through the roof and the glass facade of this patio, providing the ideal conditions for working in the studio on the ground floor. The ground floor primarily serves a "public" function, such as receiving guests, hosting exhibitions, and chamber concerts, and features a large, inviting kitchen/diner. The living room is more enclosed and is located in a relatively small corner, connected to the terrace.

Robust Facade

In contrast to the light interior, the facades have a heavy and robust character: dark brick with orthogonal bonds, heavy recessed beams, and glass that, by concealing the frames, forms abstract, transparent surfaces. The balcony on the south facade, the loggia overlooking the terrace and garden, make this home a pleasant place to spend time, offering the necessary privacy. Furthermore, the openings and closed surfaces in the facade provide a wide variety of views of the surrounding landscape.

Central Control

The rooms on the upper floor relate to the open heart in various ways. They are separated, offering maximum privacy, are oriented towards the surroundings, or offer a direct view of the open center. Together, they form a series in which living and working merge. On the side of the floodplains is a room from which the house can be controlled. The outdoor conditions—temperature, wind, and light—are measured, and the indoor climate is adjusted accordingly, so that the desired climate can be achieved in the most energy-efficient way.

Energy-efficient applications

To ensure energy-efficient and comfortable living, solar water heaters have been integrated into the green roof, PV cells have been installed on the sheds of the open roof, and night cooling is used. Furthermore, the house is equipped with home automation, for example, to control the aluminum sunshades that block out sunlight and provide privacy.