Behind the tall trees in the beautiful plot of land is a contemporary bungalow designed to fulfill the dream of the residents. Designed by Engel Architecten, this house is situated in a serene environment that exudes a certain calmness. The architect created a design concept which lets the house embrace the serenity of the area and not overwhelm the environment in both design and materialization. 

The house is composed of four volumes of different heights strategically placed on the plot and form a harmonious composition. Each volume has its own function and is postioned around a patio that forms the heart of the house. The house, meanwhile, is positioned somewhat higher than the surrounding landscape and the plinth has been set back slightly. This made the house visually detached from the landscape. The clear lines and volumetric structure also became more legible. 

One of the requirements of the residents for their home is to have sufficient visua privacy. This is provided by the surrounding greenery. Another request from the clients is to have abundant daylight in all the rooms. 

The architect designed the house in a way that the living areas are highly transparent to the outsiode to bring in a green environment. The dense forest that surrounds the plot also provides privacy in these spaces. They are situated along the corridor surrounding the patio to further enhance the feeling of privacy while still enjoy enough amount of daylight in the home. 

Inside of the house, residents can feel the soft minimalist design approach. The architect used colors, materials, and textures that do not overpower each other to create a harmonious whole that blends together perfectly. The soft colors, subtle textures, and use of natural materials give the home a pleasant and warm atmosphere.

The interior also features custom-made pieces designed to tailor fit the needs and wishes of the clients. All rooms have sufficient cupboard space to allow owners to keep the house visually tidy. Such concept offers a peaceful feeling upon entering. 

When it comes to the materiality, the house is built using a light grey elongated brick. By precisely mixing two types of bricks, a subtle nuance has been created, giving the house its modern and unique appearance. 

The gray color scheme is consistent throughout the rest of the exterior, including the window frames, all the aluminum work, and the architectural concrete. Together they form a single whole. The vertically placed wooden blinds ensure a certain balance between this interplay of lines and provide a certain sense of refinement and warmth to the predominantly sleek appearance. 

Photography by: Stijn Poelstra