A former arboretum on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug has been transformed into a contemporary country estate with a villa surrounded by its impressive trees.
The landscape elements that are present have determined the composition of the villa and the garden.
The villa's use of materials is unambiguous: masonry facades of red bricks in many shapes, a copper cover, dark steel window frames and grey wooden columns.
With masonry chosen as the main material for both the garden elements and the villa, the materialisation is a continuation of the rich typology of historical masonry villas. The intense colour of the brick in combination with the copper roof enters into a harmonious relationship with nature and interweaves with the existing forest tones. The patina of the materials will reinforce this interweaving over time.
The villa is situated in an L-shape around the silver lime tree and parallel to the long line of beeches. The driveway follows the beech path. You approach the villa exactly between two beeches and are led up a few steps to the main entrance. The villa embraces the imposing silver lime tree and the courtyard, together with the garden wall, forms an intimate, quiet outdoor space.
The interior consists of intimate private spaces connected by generous adjoining public spaces. It is executed in unambiguous and rich materials, designed to create a persuasive atmosphere.The villa with its gardens, garden buildings and its interiors has become a true 'Gesamtkunstwerk' through intensive collaboration with several designers, artists and the executing parties.
September 2021. Artesk van Royen Architecten
