Imposing Forest Villa

Imposing Forest Villa

by Engel Architecten

Set on a self-build plot in a wooded residential area near Zeist, this spacious family villa was designed to merge fully with its forest surroundings. Two asymmetrical volumes with a double gabled roof create a striking silhouette, while slender black steel window frames and brickwork running from outside to inside reinforce the connection between interior and landscape. A generous living kitchen, home office with separate entrance, double garage and a covered terrace with an operable louvre roof complete the layout. Long-format grey-fired brick combined with warm oak detailing gives the house a modern yet inviting character.

The villa is composed of two asymmetrical volumes of differing heights, unified by long horizontal canopies that balance the more vertical, stately main volume. Corner windows widen the view outward and strengthen the relationship with the surrounding pine forest, while the bedroom and bathroom on the upper floor of the lower volume benefit from a generous ceiling height of over five metres, thanks to the absence of an intermediate floor.

Oak has been used for the garage, the large pivoting front door and the canopy ceilings, offering a warm contrast to the nuanced grey brickwork. Different bonding patterns, combining horizontal and vertical brick orientations, add subtle texture to the façade.

Completed in 2021, the house also includes a double garage with carport, and a spacious chimney that anchors the composition of horizontal and vertical lines in balance.

Location
Zeist
Year
2021
Type
Villa
Scope
New Build
Style
Modern

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Credited professionals

The trusted team that worked together to bring this project to life.

Architect
Engel Architecten

Engel Architecten