Fig tree house

In The Hague’s Vogelwijk district in The Netherlands, a minimalist house extension contrasts sharply with the expressive brick architecture of a 1927’s house, exposing the ‘hidden’ qualities.

Year

2018

Status

Completed

Client

Private

Photographs

Christian Van Der Kooy

Contractor

Aannemersbedrijf L.R. Treep

Existing Situation

The house has an original annex at the front side with behind it a beautiful fig tree in the garden that was not visible from inside the old house. Because the new extension extends beyond the existing width of the house, the glass extension is going into a relationship with the existing annex. This creates a semi-enclosed outdoor space around the old fig tree. By widening the extension, a third world arises around the hidden fig tree alongside the old and the new world.

Get in touch
Seamless transition between inside and outiside
Seamless transition between inside and outiside

Design concept

The design for the extension of the house balances between a sharp contrast and the relationship it has with the existing ‘hidden’ qualities of the house.

The existing architecture from 1927 has elements of Art Nouveau and the Amsterdam School. The new addition adds a sharp contrast to the expressive brick architecture through minimalist detailing. The fully glazed façade has a minimal roof ledge and glass that runs to the level of the garden.

Go to projects
Jungle by night

No Visual barriers

From the inside, there are virtually no visual barriers to the outside, to which view and daylight are given free rein. The construction of the extension is kept out of sight but for one plus-shaped column, which makes the roof of the extension seem to float. The glass facade can open up to a large open corner, which makes the dining table feel as if it is in the outside space. This is in contrast to the modest kitchen and dining room with less natural light in the original house.

Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Back to top