Orchard House
Merging with the green surroundings of a century-old estate, the Orchard House unveils its boldly crafted roof. While its sturdy and authentic presence does not lie, the Orchard House presents a rich palette of thoughtfully arranged materials, informed by markers of its environment.
Orchard walls, timber framework and roof
Like the brickwork of an existing wall of the vegetable garden, adjacent to the house, the inner house walls were laid out of the same re-claimed Hilversums-formaat brick. This visually structuring element encapsulates the first layer of the design effort. Contrary to the garden where pears flourish, they do not thrive alongside these walls; instead, the house's main functions seamlessly integrate into this partitioning element.
A structural solid oak timber framework surrounds the masonry walls. The singular expression of the front and back elevations generates a variable roof shape. It plays a strong and defining role in the inside space and overall aspect of the house, extending on both sides of the two gardens. A private reading room on the side of the orchard, and an open dining area offers views to the vegetable garden.
Reinvented local shapes
Starting as a traditional mansard roof, referencing the surrounding building shapes, the roof later unfolds, transposing into an asymmetrical pitched roof edge. While firmly curving on one side, the pavilion-like back shape disappears into the vastness of the estate. The covering exemplifies a design attitude towards reinterpretation of traditional craft and building techniques. Grey-green natural slates are cladded and arranged in a maasdekking pattern. With the intent of building a passive home, solar panels are uniquely integrated to match the slates' colour and coverage proportions.
Natural crafts
Beyond a significant use of bio-based materials in the project, a rich material palette contributes to defining the essence of the house. While hempcrete, a bio composite, is used to fill out the primary structure and provides excellent insulation, loam stucco interior finishings create a warm and inviting atmosphere. As the fire crackles in the living room on a winter day, the faded blue custom-made tiles start glowing. They are part of a bigger material ecosystem, with inner imprints referencing the orchard and local stories. The house’s palette presents diverse wood essences, rough and smooth textures, soft and polished, mineral, and warm tones.
Lime plaster masonry and stone sub-sills in the front house facade contrasts with the garden-like roughly sawed cedar cladding in the back. Through the interior spaces one observes the ship-like detailed interior like mahogany glossy panels defining lower walls to roof-connections and ceilings. These reflective wood surfaces meet with the oak custom-made interior elements. Smooth surfaces are made of custom terrazzo floor tiles and sinks, while bathroom walls are cladded with white glazed Friese Witjes, frequently used in Dutch traditional interiors.
Hide and seek!
The playfulness of the layout and interior spaces, produced by the nature of its roof, now seeks new players.
1,2,3 …
Hide! —A rotating bookcase leads you to the private reading room from the master bedroom.
Heads? —A framed view to the orchard… —Or Tails? A bright dining room with a panoramic view of the vegetable garden.
1,2,3 …
Hide! —Behind the fireplace, or under a kitchen counter engraved with oyster shells?
Hide! —At the back of the house? A private living area overlooking the garden and covered terrace.
1,2,3 …
Hide! On the second floor, the house extends under the oak beams with a bedroom, bathroom, and study.
Spotted! A hidden bedstee offering a view of a starry sky.
While entering the space the house starts creaking, revealing and faithfully capturing its authentic nature.
