Schuur, Harfsen
Siteplan
Project: Dwelling / A private house / Barnhouse
Client: Private
Location: Harfsen
Year: 2017
Size: 180m2
Project phases: SO
Ground floor
“Using Cross Laminated Timber Construction, and wood as the primary interior material finishing, the proposal is not only highly sustainable and a carbon-sink, but this natural materiality also generates a healthy, interior environment enhancing occupant comfort.”
- B2A Founding Partner, Louise Bjørk
First floor
Description
Schuur is a concept design for a 180m2 private dwelling in a village in the Eastern Netherlands, surrounded by a largely rural and natural landscape.
Looking out onto a forest, the home has a northern orientation and the design emphasises the physical and visual connection between the surrounding garden, forest, and the open ground floor living space. This connection drives internal spatial organisation.
In enhancing these connections, clear sight lines advantageously reinforce long framed views to merge interior and exterior.
The domestic program is organised compactly so the location of the different programs in the plan produces convenient physical connections. This way, the sequence of activities is complementary and promotes fluid movement. Seamless connections between rooms facilitate this: slide one door open after the next, and occupants may walk a continuous circuit around the ground floor. A centrally-positioned block divides these interior spaces, while concealing core service functions.
Sleeping and bathing areas are on the first floor. This upper level’s more private, partitioned character contrasts with the openness of the main living area. However, one gesture extends the ground floor’s fluid language to the first floor: a void over the ground floor kitchen which draws a visual connection to a first floor workspace.
Interior pine finishes create a warm interior environment that envelopes the occupants in the space, while reinforcing the plan’s fluidity. Outside, the facade’s robust, concrete plinth contrasts with a Shou Sugi Ban-style black wood facade and roof profile. This creates a visual separation between the ground floor and first floor, and contrasts with the warm wood interior.