Drenthe Residence in Donderen, Dutch Property Project, Building, Holland Home, Architect

Donderen Barnhouse in Holland

Private House in Drenthe, northeastern Netherlands: New Dutch Residence – design by aatvos architects

page updated 12 Nov 2016 with new photos ; 19 Sep 2014

Donderen Barnhouse in Drenthe, Netherlands

Design: aatvos, architects

Location: province of Drenthe, municipality of Tynaarlo, the Netherlands

A Barn House in the Countryside nearby Donderen

Background
The task of conceiving a private home in the countryside south of Donderen in the North of the Netherlands raises the question as to how far the existing typology is suitable, without resorting to historicizing architecture.

This local typology is strongly determined by the simple Drenthe barn: straightforward, at a right angle to the road axis, centered in the countryside, without a privacy layer, functional, a single construction layer with roof. Farms fitting this description have already existed for centuries.

Due to the withdrawal of farmers from the countryside and the arrival of urban dwellers with a desire for space, many old farms are being used as and reconverted into residential farms, without altering this typology.

However, at the moment that the need for replacement development arises for this new function, the question comes up whether or not a private home can be conceived within this traditional description by incorporating modern-day demands with comfort, privacy, and a subtle transition from exterior to interior.

Design
The design responds to this by, on the one hand, embracing the classical typology and, on the other hand, developing the new living demands. Due to local regulations, the house is designed within the footprint and spatial template of the original barn that once stood at the site. As this area is know for its straight forward architecture with low-cost materialization, the barn house is developed to fit within its context.

A steel construction is covered with concrete floor plates to create a huge space. In this space an inner house is placed as a house within a house. All necessary functions are located within this inner house, so the surrounding living areas are extra spaces – like the original barn used to have. The house is covered with corrugated sheets, a low cost materials normally used to cover a haystack. In order to control visual privacy, the main windows are covered with wooden shutters that filter sunlight and regulate viewing.

Landscape
The barn house is placed on a large wooden platform to attach the house to its garden, creating a very easy connection and establishing an interaction between the house and its garden life, with lots of different terraces and a swimming pool.

aatvos Barnhouse Donderen in brief
The Netherlands, 2000. Schuurhuis Donderen. One of the first barn houses ever: a beautiful contrast in the countryside.

Situation
Private family is looking to rebuild a farmhouse on a country site in the north of Holland.

Target
Create a contemporary house that reflects modern life and the history and characteristics of the site.

Action
Reinterpretation of a classic barn. Think of a barn as a simple building made with cheap and local materials. Make it spacious: store all necessities in an inner house.

Result
The classic farmers barn revisited: a perfect example what you can do with cheap yet expressive materials.

Did you know?
This barn-house was among the first ever. Together with the early work of Onix and Faro Architects, it marks the beginning of a renewal of local architecture back in 2000. It has continued to inspire people ever since.