The twins of 16Hoven Rotterdam
Between the buildings-ribbon on an old dike between Overschie and Hillegersberg in Rotterdam we realized two connected houses. In this project there is much attention paid to integrate in shape, size, expression and materialisiering with the surrounding homes.
The Architect has initiated this project as its own development. The logic of the development of the housing was to adapt to the individual needs of buyers as possible, without adapting the architectural quality. The outer shell of the two houses are almost identical. The possibilities of a dike house with residential activities at various levels ultimately by both users completely filled in their own way. The result is two totally different properties which are formed in a similar "jacket". One of the houses has been given an extension by its somewhat unfavorable Solar, which is used as a studio.
The sustainably designed homes have a contemporary design and are materialized with traditional materials like brick, wood and ceramic tiles. The house has a garden level, half built in the dike, made of concrete and masonry facade. The floor on dike level and the attic are designed as a pine construction of trusses, first floor and roof decking. The wooden truss structure is both frame and window frame. The glass facade is sandwiched with larch wood parts on the trusses. The rotating parts (rotary / tilting) are as thick panels in a similar manner as the glass "glazed". The entire structure is left visible in the interior. The openable facade parts are designed as dense sections, which are provided with horizontal portions larch on the outside. The lower Larch parts are designed as a fencing. The entire exterior is made of laminated Larch.
For both properties is an air-water heat pump used. Along with high-quality insulating glass and insulation with high R value is the home made sustainable. The interior is also durable with a minimum use of finishes. The existing structure is fully visible in the interior and finished with various transparent finishes.
The possibilities of a dike house with residential activities at various levels are experienced by the central location of the stairs in the house more than one way. Many and large areas of glass are used, making the environment of the green as a part of the experience of the home. The louvers on the front (south) are used to filter sunlight and transparency. The sloping hood makes the garden facade lower and gives a particular spatial effect in the interior. The houses has a strong expression and but are harmoniously filled into the existing surrounding.