Appropriate appearance at the edge of the forest
The forest at your feet. Opposite the beautiful nature reserve the Boswachterij in Dorst, the new neighborhood of the same name is being built, a stone’s throw from Breda. On the north side of the area there are 5 free building plots on the edge of the forest. Lab32 architects made a design for a villa on one of those lots.

The main principles for the design are the natural qualities of the environment, the relationship with the forest and a timeless minimal design with warm materials and a very high level of detail. In addition, the villa had to be energy neutral and life course resistant.

The villa is characterized by the powerful lines in white stucco that frame the large windows, the wall in natural stone as an accompaniment to the entrance with the central hall of more than 6 meters high and the filling of the closed facade parts with natural gray Barnwood.

The routing and living experience in the villa is based on connecting with the forest. Because of the large amount of glass, the open layout and the voids at the front and back, the forest becomes part of home life.

The entrance of the house is centrally located at the six meter high hall. On the ground floor are the living areas and the master bedroom with walk-in closet and bathroom. On the first floor there are three bedrooms, a second bathroom and a spacious lounge-work area on the voids to the living and dining room. The covered terrace with louvered roof adjoining the kitchen enhances the interior-exterior relationship with the garden. The basement is accessible via the centrally located staircase where the technical and storage spaces are located.

The villa is custom made with a traditional construction method. The materials for the façades are limited to white insulated façade stucco in combination with light gray aluminum frames and Barnwood for the closed façade parts and the garage door.

The interior is completely in harmony with the architecture of the villa. The interior finish is minimalist sleek, white walls and ceilings with light gray floors that are continued outside in light gray concrete terraces. The kitchen is custom made by an interior builder and the bathrooms are designed by Lab32 architects. The free hanging wood fire is the Gyrofocus from Focus. The lighting plan is designed in-house, with particular attention being paid to the integration of all components.

Automation and energy
The villa is energy neutral by using high-quality insulation, triple glazing with screens, a well-detailed building shell, an air-water heat pump, an air treatment with heat recovery and hidden solar panels. The sustainable heat via underfloor heating with clima level ensures a pleasant indoor climate in winter and cooling in summer and can be individually regulated in each room. Thanks to the domotics used, all systems and installations can be operated. All systems in the house can be operated remotely via central touchscreens and individual controls in the rooms or via mobile devices.

The restrained detailing in combination with the shape and the chosen materials makes N-house a contemporary, yet appropriate appearance at the edge of the forest.