House W / Studio Prototype

Curated by ArchDaily

Architects: Studio Prototype
Area: 270 m²
Year: 2013

House W / Studio Prototype - Windows, Facade — Courtesy of Studio Prototype

Text description provided by the architects. A charming small house, built last century, stands on the old village road of the Dutch town Duiven. It has recently been passed on to the third generation of a family that is living there. The decision was made by them to thoroughly renovate the house and add a new volume on the backside.

House W / Studio Prototype - Image 5 of 19 — Courtesy of Studio Prototype

The new volume formulates a contemporary answer to the existing house. The volumes are slightly shifted from each other, creating a spatial play outside and a framed view towards the street side inside. The new volume functions as a closed mass on the street side, while on the garden-side the dwelling opens up by means of a spacious L-shaped veranda. A large window, with two sliding doors in it, provides the connection with the garden. The chimney is a prominent part of the roof’s shape. As such it has been reinterpreted, and is integrated with both a roof light and a light shaft in one sculptural object.

The functions flow seamlessly from the old to the new volume. The existing volume is updated by making several functional interventions. All spaces in the new volume are situated around a spacious void. A maximum amount of daylight is permitted here, ensuring an optimal experience of the sculptural space.

The façade concept of HouseW consists of diagonal directions and is translated to a timber cladding of western red cedar battens. They are as slender as possible, creating tension with the heavy brick of the existing dwelling. Aluminum profiles are used to attain subtle transitions between materials and spaces. The diagonal pattern is opened up on several strategic positions, working as a privacy screen.

House W / Studio Prototype - Windows, Door, Facade — Courtesy of Studio Prototype

The architect has taken the role of master builder in the execution phase to guarantee the quality of the special detailing. The house is part of the Dutch self-build-initiative; in collaboration with the architect the inhabitants themselves finished the interior.