VILLA KOGELHOF DESIGN BY PAUL DE RUITER ARCHITECTS
VILLA KOGELHOF DESIGN BY PAUL DE RUITER ARCHITECTS
One half of this energy-efficient house in the Netherlands by Paul de Ruiter Architects
is raised above the landscape in a glazed box, while the other half is buried
underneath a pool of water.
Amsterdam firm was asked Paul de Ruiter Architects to design a home that would provide a
comfortable environment all year round while minimising its energy use and
impact on a site in a protected ecological area.
"It was an important wish from our client to create a simple,
abstract, yet spectacular villa," said the architects. "The result is
a composition; consisting of two square stacked volumes: one underground and
one floating above ground."
The house's upper storey seems to hover above the landscape,
supported by a V-shaped steel frame at one end and a glazed box at the other
containing a staircase that links it with the underground space.
The main living area, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathrooms and a
multifunctional space are housed in the elongated volume above ground. Glass
doors and partitions separate the various spaces on this level, including a
walled-in patio with the living space and the master bedroom on either side.
Below ground, another rectangular box arranged perpendicular to the
upper storey houses a huge garage, as well as storage, a bathroom and an
office. A large picture window at the end of the office overlooks an artificial
lake and the flat landscape beyond.
Throughout the interior, white walls and epoxy floors contribute to
a clean and minimal environment that focuses attention on the views provided by
the full-height glazing.
In order to build on the site, which is a habitat for many plants
and animals, the owners were required to return what had previously been
farmland to its original pre-agricultural state. They planted 71,000 young
trees that will eventually obscure the house from view and added a rectangular
pond above the underground storey.
Energy-saving techniques employed in the building include a fabric
screen built into the insulated glazed facade that can be rolled down to
reflect the sun, and create a void between the glass and the screen through which
ventilation flows.
Photography is by Jeroen Musch.
VILLA KOGELHOF PROJECT DESCRIPTION FROM THE ARCHITECT PAUL DE
RUITER
Villa Kogelhof is designed based on complete autarky: therefore the
house will be energy neutral. By using several techniques, the villa has a
comfortable climate all seasons, whilst being extremely energy efficient. It
was an important wish from our client to create a simple, abstract, yet
spectacular villa. The result is a composition; consisting of two square
stacked volumes: one underground and one floating above ground. It is designed
as an uncompromising glass box, supported by a steel V-frame.
Contemporary estate
The 25 hectare estate is part of a larger program initiated by the
government, which aims to connect regional ecological zones throughout the
country. The current owner bought the site, once farmland, in 2006. It is a
protected habitat for animals and plants and a major tourist draw in the area,
open to the public.
Permission to build a house on the land was given only on condition
that it was returned to its pre-agricultural state. The planning of some 71,000
six-year-old trees hint at the future of the estate as ‘a villa in the woods’
and were planted already in 2006.
CONTRAST
The underground volume of the house consists the entrance, parking
(for 6 cars and a tractor), storage, bathroom and a workspace which looks out
over the pond. The living area is situated in the floating glass box above
ground. It’s floor plan is completely open, except for some subtle glass room
dividers.
There are several separate volumes for the kitchen, bedrooms,
bathroom and a multifunctional room. The patio has glass doors on both sides,
so that it’s both accessible through the living room and the bathroom. The
entire floor is covered with white epoxy and the furniture consists of designer
classics from Le Corbusier and Eileen Grey. The façade is completely made out
of glass and offers a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape.
SELF SUFFICIENT
One of the main principles of Villa Kogelhof was to translate
luxury into the happiness of independence. The goal for the villa was to be
self-sufficient; to generate its own energy, to heat its own water and to
recycle the garbage.
To make sure Villa Kogelhof is energy neutral, the façade offers an
important contribution. This so called climate-façade is composed of an outer
layer of clear insulated glass from floor to ceiling and an inner layer of
sun-reflecting fabric that can be rolled up and unrolled. When the fabric is
lowered, an air cavity is formed in which the air from the villa is extracted
of a central ventilation system.
The house is heated by a central heating system in combination with
an air pump. Electricity is generated from the PV-cells on the roof and also
from the planned windmill.
PAUL DE RUITER
In 1990 Paul de Ruiter (b. 1962) completed his
studies at the Technical University of Delft (Netherlands). Two years later he
started his research concerning energy efficient buildings. Before founding his
own office in 1994 he worked with leading architectural offices in Canada,
Australia and the Netherlands. From its very start Architectenbureau Paul
de Ruiter is keen on doing research to design buildings and towns in which
people feel comfortable and safe, without prejudicing the environment and economic
feasibility. Architecture should serve people and humanity – that is the real
basis for effective innovation. Besides his design activities Paul de Ruiter
works at a doctoral dissertation on climate active facades. He gives lectures,
writes articles for professional journals and teaches at the Dutch Technical
Universities. Paul de Ruiter is committed to several institutions that aim at a
sustainable society.
PAUL DE RUITER ARCHITECTS
The keywords innovation, sustainability, identity and interaction
characterize the vision of Paul de Ruiter Architects. Bringing the future
closer by means of innovative architecture is our ambition, making possible
what appears impossible and developing unexpected and pioneering solutions. To
achieve progress, an architect must move beyond existing frames of reference
and surpass the norm; breaking through processes. This means you must be
proactive, involving all the parties concerned in the process right from the
start, in order to expose the real needs of the customer. Inspired
collaboration produces innovative architecture.
Paul de Ruiter Architects has started its practice in 1994 and
counts about 18 employees. Our office is based in a former steelworkplace which
we fully renovated on our own initiative and converted into a business complex
in which, besides ourselves, different creative companies are located.
