Beautiful and sustainable
How to make two semi-detached homes as sustainable, circular and future-proof as possible? The client, a starting contractor, wants to revolutionise the traditional construction process by using eco-friendly materials and innovative methods. They also have high ambitions for the semis’ architectural appearance, spatial quality and home comfort.
Clear and sculptural
The semis are conceived as a clear and sculptural volume. An asymmetrical roof provides a characteristic contour. Concealed gutter and drainpipe details integrate these into the volume. Window openings appear to be cut out. The façades have a strong vertical articulation due to their composition and their materialisation in open bamboo cladding. Two sturdy dormers in the front façade add to this verticality. The asymmetrical façade layout contributes to the volume’s dynamic appearance. Extensions on the side façades are integrated into the architecture, echoing the main volume. Pushing them back creates an entrance area at the front and an intimate, sheltered terrace area at the rear.
High-grade and harmonious
The volume is finished with high-grade materials, which are and remain beautiful. The material palette harmoniously combines ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ materials. The warm and natural appearance of the bamboo façade cladding has its counterpart in razor-sharp zinc roofs and eaves. Window frames are wood-aluminium. In the exterior, their clear lines contrast with the bamboo’s soft feel, while in the interior the clear-lacquered wood forms a warm addition. Sedum roofs on the two extensions are a natural eye-catcher in the large rear roof plane.
Love for detail
The homes are detailed with great care. The bamboo cladding is invisibly attached. The rhythm of narrow slats gives the façade a slender verticality. The façade was given depth by the deep reveal. Tricoya frames in the reveals accentuate the window openings. Slim zinc eaves frame the standing seam zinc roof’s subtle interplay of lines. Solar panels are hiddenly mounted on the zinc standing seam, and skylights are incorporated in this PV system. Shutters provide a subtle layering to the rear façade.
Spacious and bright
The open concept living room wraps around a central entrance volume. The interior is spacious and bright due to the large windows, the open staircase and a void on the south façade. The first floor layout is more secluded and accommodates three bedrooms and a bathroom. The second floor houses a loft bedroom with freestanding bath. The extension has its own entrance and toilet, so it can be used independently from the main house. It holds a home office, but can also be used as a ground floor ensuite bedroom. Furthermore it incorporates a storage room and a technical room.
Wood and stucco
The interior has a subdued colour and material palette. The solid wood interior walls, floors and roofs have been left in sight and set the atmosphere in the house. For extra contrast, the solid wood exterior walls are finished with snow-white stucco. The exterior windows’ clear-lacquered wood frames the view outside. Black details add the finishing touch.
Elegant transparency
Clear and carefully designed details outline the staircase, aiming to maximally allow light and space to flow freely. Natural-coloured spruce threads appear to float as they are carried by white lacquered cut strings. Floor-to-ceiling stair railings in elegant bar steel accentuate the height. The stairs and railings are alternately very transparent and closed, depending on your angle of view, causing the spatial experience to change whenever you move through the house.
Biobased and circular
In the materialisation, products with the lowest possible environmental impact have been sought. Biobased, reusable materials have been chosen where possible. In addition, all materials and building components are mounted by means of dry connections, so that they can be recycled or upcycled in the future. Concrete is only used in the foundation and ground floor. All other floors, walls and roofs are made of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Wood fibre insulation is used for the façades and roofs. A subfloor system on all floors allows for easy adjustments to utility pipes in the future.
Comfortable and healthy
Home comfort is central to the design. The structure is vapour-permeable and therefore breathes naturally. This has a positive effect on the moisture balance and the living environment. The combination of CLT and wood fibre insulation has a high heat storage capacity, keeping the summer heat out for a long time. In addition, shutters in the south façade provide passive cooling. A heat pump and convectors provide heating and cooling. This system responds faster than underfloor cooling and effectively prevents overheating. Much attention has also been paid to acoustic quality. The subfloor system minimises both airborne and contact noise. To avoid sound transmission to the neighbours, the cavity between the houses is insulated and the stairs are kept detached from the party walls. The result: a pleasant and healthy living environment.
Minimal footprint
By predominantly using biobased materials, the construction phase is carbon negative: more carbon is stored in the structure than is emitted during production and construction. The all-electric houses have an energy label A++++ and are Nearly Zero Energy in the operational phase. The construction process has also been made sustainable in terms of other environmental factors. Prefabrication makes the process highly efficient, with minimal nuisance, emissions and waste on site. In addition, rainwater is buffered in the sedum roofs and in a gravel strip around the houses.
Beautiful and sustainable
How to make two semi-detached homes as sustainable, circular and future-proof as possible? The client, a starting contractor, wants to revolutionise the traditional construction process by using eco-friendly materials and innovative methods. They also have high ambitions for the semis’ architectural appearance, spatial quality and home comfort.
Clear and sculptural
The semis are conceived as a clear and sculptural volume. An asymmetrical roof provides a characteristic contour. Concealed gutter and drainpipe details integrate these into the volume. Window openings appear to be cut out. The façades have a strong vertical articulation due to their composition and their materialisation in open bamboo cladding. Two sturdy dormers in the front façade add to this verticality. The asymmetrical façade layout contributes to the volume’s dynamic appearance. Extensions on the side façades are integrated into the architecture, echoing the main volume. Pushing them back creates an entrance area at the front and an intimate, sheltered terrace area at the rear.
High-grade and harmonious
The volume is finished with high-grade materials, which are and remain beautiful. The material palette harmoniously combines ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ materials. The warm and natural appearance of the bamboo façade cladding has its counterpart in razor-sharp zinc roofs and eaves. Window frames are wood-aluminium. In the exterior, their clear lines contrast with the bamboo’s soft feel, while in the interior the clear-lacquered wood forms a warm addition. Sedum roofs on the two extensions are a natural eye-catcher in the large rear roof plane.
Love for detail
The homes are detailed with great care. The bamboo cladding is invisibly attached. The rhythm of narrow slats gives the façade a slender verticality. The façade was given depth by the deep reveal. Tricoya frames in the reveals accentuate the window openings. Slim zinc eaves frame the standing seam zinc roof’s subtle interplay of lines. Solar panels are hiddenly mounted on the zinc standing seam, and skylights are incorporated in this PV system. Shutters provide a subtle layering to the rear façade.
Spacious and bright
The open concept living room wraps around a central entrance volume. The interior is spacious and bright due to the large windows, the open staircase and a void on the south façade. The first floor layout is more secluded and accommodates three bedrooms and a bathroom. The second floor houses a loft bedroom with freestanding bath. The extension has its own entrance and toilet, so it can be used independently from the main house. It holds a home office, but can also be used as a ground floor ensuite bedroom. Furthermore it incorporates a storage room and a technical room.
Wood and stucco
The interior has a subdued colour and material palette. The solid wood interior walls, floors and roofs have been left in sight and set the atmosphere in the house. For extra contrast, the solid wood exterior walls are finished with snow-white stucco. The exterior windows’ clear-lacquered wood frames the view outside. Black details add the finishing touch.
Elegant transparency
Clear and carefully designed details outline the staircase, aiming to maximally allow light and space to flow freely. Natural-coloured spruce threads appear to float as they are carried by white lacquered cut strings. Floor-to-ceiling stair railings in elegant bar steel accentuate the height. The stairs and railings are alternately very transparent and closed, depending on your angle of view, causing the spatial experience to change whenever you move through the house.
Biobased and circular
In the materialisation, products with the lowest possible environmental impact have been sought. Biobased, reusable materials have been chosen where possible. In addition, all materials and building components are mounted by means of dry connections, so that they can be recycled or upcycled in the future. Concrete is only used in the foundation and ground floor. All other floors, walls and roofs are made of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Wood fibre insulation is used for the façades and roofs. A subfloor system on all floors allows for easy adjustments to utility pipes in the future.
Comfortable and healthy
Home comfort is central to the design. The structure is vapour-permeable and therefore breathes naturally. This has a positive effect on the moisture balance and the living environment. The combination of CLT and wood fibre insulation has a high heat storage capacity, keeping the summer heat out for a long time. In addition, shutters in the south façade provide passive cooling. A heat pump and convectors provide heating and cooling. This system responds faster than underfloor cooling and effectively prevents overheating. Much attention has also been paid to acoustic quality. The subfloor system minimises both airborne and contact noise. To avoid sound transmission to the neighbours, the cavity between the houses is insulated and the stairs are kept detached from the party walls. The result: a pleasant and healthy living environment.
Minimal footprint
By predominantly using biobased materials, the construction phase is carbon negative: more carbon is stored in the structure than is emitted during production and construction. The all-electric houses have an energy label A++++ and are Nearly Zero Energy in the operational phase. The construction process has also been made sustainable in terms of other environmental factors. Prefabrication makes the process highly efficient, with minimal nuisance, emissions and waste on site. In addition, rainwater is buffered in the sedum roofs and in a gravel strip around the houses.
