
first image
'bridge house' by 123DV, the netherlands
image © christiaan de bruijne
directly in front of the 'bridge house' designed by dutch firm 123DV is a wide-open space that stylishly frames the park in which the dwelling is situated,
most of which is accessible by walkers and passersby. the green area, in turn, blends into the environment around it. the landscape architect for this
project carefully restored the property to its original state, with rows of trees like theatrical sets. to make the soil less fertile, the top layer was removed
throughout the property and in the interest of sustainability was reused to form a raised area beneath the construct. the result is a traditional dutch terp dwelling,
a house on top of an earthen plinth that contains a cellar. green strategies also inspired the overall design. the villa is self-sufficient, allowing the occupants
to go off the grid at anytime without losing their energy supply. water is drawn from a private well, and the practical and sustainable built-in features include solar panels,
roof and floor heating through thermal energy storage, reuse of rainwater, a septic tank, shielded power cables, and heat mirror glass which acts as an
efficient and environmentally friendly awning, cooling the interior and keeping out excess heat.

long horizontal volume keeps a low profile
image © christiaan de bruijne

image © christiaan de bruijne

image © christiaan de bruijne

exterior deck and view over the natural environment
image © christiaan de bruijne

living room wrapped in a glass envelope
image © christiaan de bruijne

dining area
image © christiaan de bruijne

stairs
images © christiaan de bruijne

corridor with skylight and white marble floors
image © christiaan de bruijne

Bathroom
image © christiaan de bruijne

front facade
image © christiaan de bruijne

image © christiaan de bruijne
project info:
description: sustainable countryhouse on a hill
status: completed 2011
surroundings: country estate in a park style 17.000 new trees and 1.000 rhododendrons
surface: 825 m² (8,880 sq. ft.) floor area, 15-hectare (37-acre) parcel
floors: 2
living areas: living room, kitchen with pantry, 3 bedrooms, study, studio, exercise room, wine cellar
materials: stainless steel, dark stucco, white marble floor
sustainable features: self-sufficient (generating its own energy, private water supply) solar panels, energy roof, floor heating, and cooling through
thermal energy storage, reuse of rainwater, septic tank, shielded power cables, a private well and heat mirror glass.