gaaga: v-house

'v-house' by gaaga, leiden, netherlands
image © marcel van der burg


dutch architecture practice gaaga has completed 'v-house', a single family residence located in leiden, netherlands.
sited within the previously industrial urban center, this currently high density urban planning zone of 'nieuw leyden'
encourages individual plot owners to implement their own home. an iconic v-shaped roof pitches downward at
asymmetrical angles from the adjacent homes. covering the habitable nine by ten meter footprint, the central valley
directs all water runoff towards the bordering six by ten meter garden.



entrance facade
image © marcel van der burg


the ambiguous white stucco facade contains a series of glass windows and doors which blurs the home's interior
organization from the exterior. upon entering, the spatial layout is revealed with unobstructed views of the wooden
ceiling and steps leading to the upper level. a formal sitting room, bedrooms and bathroom are found on the ground
floor within a three meter wide strip parallel to the staircase. the lofted kitchen, living and dining areas are
configured into an L-shaped arrangement leaving a void for a double story vertical volume. the ceiling inclines towards
the home's central spine, a free-standing bearing wall which supports a series of wood beams forming the roof structure.
large skylights introduce daylight into the public spaces while large picture windows provide views of the garden and sky.



ground level entry
image © marcel van der burg



upward view from ground level
image © marcel van der burg



stairs
image © marcel van der burg



(left) upper level living space
(right) living space
images © marcel van der burg



stairs divide living area and kitchen
image © marcel van der burg



roof spine is supported by central interior wall
image © marcel van der burg



kitchen
image © marcel van der burg



overlook from kitchen
image © marcel van der burg



view of kitchen and living space from overlook
image © marcel van der burg



(left) view of kitchen and lower level from overlook
(right) large picture window facing the backyard
images © marcel van der burg



entry facade at dusk
image © marcel van der burg



floor plan / level 0
image courtesy of gaaga



floor plan / level 1
image courtesy of gaaga



section
image courtesy of gaaga



transverse section
image courtesy of gaaga



elevation
image courtesy of gaaga



elevation
image courtesy of gaaga



axonometric
image courtesy of gaaga


project info:


architects: gaaga
team: esther stevelink and arie bergsma
location: leiden, the netherlands
client: private
realisation: 2008 - 2010
contractor: verbeij bouw, boskoop.
structural engineering: imd, rotterdam
energy performance & building physics: gaaga - arie bergsma