Residential house Muiden
The new live-work house, owned by two designers with a landscape architecture practice, appears to have naturally emerged in its green surroundings. In the old marine town of Muiden, just behind the dike of the IJmeer, stands the house with a visible timber construction, pergolas, see-throughs and a roof-top greenhouse, which together give the house a scenic appearance.
Programme
Residential house
Surface
250 m² GFA
Architect
Gianni Cito, Moke Architecten
Team
Patrick de Weerd
Status
Completed
Year
2020 - 2024
Location
Muiden
Construction
Van der Linden Constructie Advies
Photographer
Thijs Wolzak, Robert Koelewijn
Landscape
Marieke Timmermans and Pepijn Godefroy, la4sale
Contractor
Construction company Van Engen
Urban planning
Marieke Timmermans and Pepijn Godefroy, la4sale
Live-work house
The residents, who are also the clients, wanted a house that takes full advantage of the magnificent view while providing ample privacy at the same time. The house is divided into a front and back section that are shifted relative to each other, an idea proposed by the residents. The front house opens onto the front garden and the IJmeer and consists of the kitchen on the ground floor and the living room on the first floor, with a view over the water. The back house is a more enclosed volume and has a workspace on the ground floor and the bedroom on the upper floors.
The front and back houses form two square volumes that have been pulled apart and are connected at the corners with pergolas. The pergolas consist of a wooden frame with wooden louvers, creating a space between the interior and the exterior. This intermediary space is special and provides a gradual transition between the indoor and outdoor areas. The louvers are adjustable and can be opened to create an unobstructed view of the IJmeer. When closed, they ensure privacy.
Natural materials
Wood is a central theme, which is present in all areas of the house. The laminated larch beams, the exterior finish of Fraké, the interior finish of poplar and the Douglas floors provide a soft and natural ambiance. The wood is practically untreated. The concrete wall in the centre of the house also provides a natural appearance, with the pattern of horizontal wooden slats casting playful light along the floating steel staircase descending from the greenhouse above.
Sustainable to the core
The house is sustainable in all aspects. To begin with, the timber construction stores 23,846 kilos of CO2. The insulation consists of a combination of cellulose, wood fibres and sheep wool. The sloped roof is covered with moss sedum and grasses, which store rain water. Excess rain water flows into the front garden via a chain. The transparent PV cells on the greenhouse roof generate electricity. The greenhouse itself is a beautiful finishing touch. Plants and flowers grow in the semi-climate. It is both an extension of the house and a floral continuation of the landscape.