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The Netherlands-based architectural practice 123DV have designed the Bridge House. The sustainable country house is located on a hill in a newly developed estate in the unique, tree-lined landscape of the Dutch Achterhoek. The house is situated on an artificial mound of reused soil for better views of the park. The 825 m2 house has a living room, a kitchen with pantry, three bedrooms, a study room, a studio, an exercise room and a wine cellar.
Following is a description from the architects, “In front of the house and its setting is a wide-open space that stylishly frames the park, most of which is open to walkers. The park, in turn, blends into the landscape around it. The landscape architect for this project carefully restored the property to its original state, with rows of trees throughout the landscape like theatrical sets. To make the soil less fertile, the top layer was removed throughout the property. In the interest of sustainability, this soil was reused to form a raised area beneath the house. The result is a traditional Dutch terp dwelling, a house on top of a hill that contains the cellar.
Sustainability also inspired the design of the house. The villa is self-sufficient. At any time, the occupants can go off the net without losing their energy supply. Water is drawn from a private well, and the practical and sustainable built-in features include solar panels, roof and floor heating through thermal energy storage, reuse of rainwater, a septic tank, shielded power cables, and Heat Mirror glass. This unique glass acts as an efficient and environmentally friendly awning, cooling the house and keeping out excess heat.”
Photography: Christiaan de Bruijne, Courtesy: 123DV
