Barn house II, Cothen
“This project offers a simple yet innovative design which enables a flow of movement through the home and a sense of connectedness to the surrounding nature”
- B2A Founding Partner, Louise Bjørk
Siteplan
Project: Housing / Masterplan
Client: Private
Location: Cothen
Year: 2021-ongoing
Size masterplan: 7750m2 (woonerf)
Size new build homes: 210m2
Project phases: Masterplan, SO, VO and DO (building permission)
Description
The Schuur is a 210 m² dwelling set within the agricultural landscape of Cothen, where orchards and open fields define the rural character of the site. As part of a broader masterplan by B2A Architects, the project forms a cohesive ensemble with an existing farmhouse and a newly introduced building volume, collectively transforming the site through restoration, new construction, and a reconfiguration of both landscape and spatial structure.
The house is conceived as a clear, unified volume defined by a large roof resting on a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) structure. The ground floor is partially sunken and accommodates the primary living spaces, including an open kitchen and dining area. Above, the upper level contains the sleeping program: a master bedroom, three additional bedrooms, and shared bathroom facilities.
The spatial organization is developed as a continuous sectional sequence, in which private and communal functions transition gradually from the upper sleeping level down through the dining area to the sunken living space. This lower living room strengthens the relationship to the surrounding landscape, opening fully through floor-to-ceiling glazing and reinforcing a sense of immersion in the site.
Material choices root the building firmly in its rural context. The roof is finished in muted zinc, subtly contrasting with the adjacent farmhouse clad in dark roof tiles. The façades are articulated in dark clay tiles, referencing the language of agricultural barns. Large sliding elements, reminiscent of barn doors, enable the building to open entirely to its surroundings, while expansive glazing and slender aluminum frames dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior.
Sustainability is integral to the design approach. The CLT structure enables a low-carbon, prefabricated building system that is both efficient and lightweight. Environmental performance is further enhanced through high-performance insulation, triple glazing, photovoltaic panels, and a heat pump system, collectively reducing the building’s operational and embodied impact.