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wood and plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
CategoriesArchitecture

wood and plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands

By Zarkon Group,

Villa K340’s Split-Level Design traces the undulating terrain

 

Architect Francois Verhoeven constructs Villa K340 in Vroondaal, a natural and recreational area near the Hague, aiming to blend modernity with nature. The region encompasses several designated residential complexes, such as ‘De Hoogte’ where the house stands. The area allows modern villas to be built in a landscape of artificially constructed hills.

 

K340’s design aligns with the concept of a split-level layout that runs along the contours of the undulating terrain. The entrance rests at a lower elevation while the living areas perch atop the hill, forging a dynamic interplay between architecture and landscape. The project features a juxtaposition of raw, natural materials against sleek design elements. Wooden components and lime plaster, contrast the facade’s clean divisions and slender aluminum window frames. Wooden cladding extends in front of windows and along the front facade, creating a robust silhouette. In the evening, light shines through the gaps of the cladding elements from within the villa.

wooden cladding and lime plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
all images courtesy of Francois Verhoeven Architect

 

 

wooden cladding coats the house creating a robust exterior

 

A large pivot door merges into the facade when closed, offering a sense of privacy and structural delineation at the entrance area. A central staircase and adjoining outdoor spaces provide views of the villa’s various levels. The design team attends to meticulous detailing to ensure fluid transitions between interior and exterior spaces, concealing the window frames behind cladding and plasterwork. The wooden facades cover up the roof edges and blend gracefully with set-back windows, extending the main shape from the top to ground level. Floor-to-ceiling windows free of mullions and thresholds are incorporated into the interior, integrating into the walls.

wooden cladding and lime plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
the design of Villa K340 aims to blend modernity with nature

 

 

Francois Verhoeven inserts eco-Friendly Features in Villa K340

 

Aiming for a sustainable design, the project features triple glazing, a geothermal heat pump, CO2-controlled ventilation, and strategically designed overhangs that provide shade in the summer and allow plentiful sunlight in during the winter. Solar panels, discreetly set behind the elevated roof edge, keep the villa’s energy consumption to a minimum. The villa’s garage, thoughtfully integrated into the architectural design, features a green roof. The roof, the surrounding organic garden and pond are designed and landscaped by Biotooptuinen and complement the modern design, enhancing the house’s overall aesthetic appeal.

wooden cladding and lime plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
the project features a split-level layout

wooden cladding and lime plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
the entrance rests at a lower elevation while the living areas perch atop the hill

wooden cladding and lime plaster cover the solid form of villa k340 in the netherlands
the surrounding organic garden and pond complement the modern design

Reference

A microbial cover crop for capturing and storing carbon and nitrogen
CategoriesSustainable News

A microbial cover crop for capturing and storing carbon and nitrogen

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Pesticides and fertilisers are widely used in food production. But while they can have important benefits, they are expensive, and their use creates numerous environmental problems impacting human health, biodiversity, and water and soil ecosystems. Now, startup Pluton Biosciences is identifying microbial solutions that could provide chemical-free crop protection and enhancement.

Pluton is working to identify novel microbes with commercial applications using its proprietary Micromining Innovation Engine. Pluton has already discovered multiple previously unknown bacteria that can protect against several agriculturally relevant plant pests, including the fall armyworm. The active anti-pest molecule has been isolated and is being developed into a natural pesticide.

The company is also developing a microbial cover crop that captures and sequesters carbon and nitrogen in the soil – providing soil enhancement as well as carbon sequestration. The company claims that applying the microbial spray at planting and harvest could scrub nearly two tonnes of carbon from the air per acre of farmland each year, while also replenishing nutrients in the soil.

Microbial solutions are not only good for crops and the environment, they are also a potentially valuable market, and investors agree. In 2021, Pluton raised $6.6 million (around €6 million) in a seed round and more recently it completed a series A round for $16.5 million (around €15.2 million).

Nature can be very effective at solving problems, a fact that has not escaped the notice of those searching for more sustainable ways to grow crops. In the archive, Springwise has spotted a number of innovations in this space, including a maggot-based fertiliser and nature-inspired insecticides that protect biodiversity.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Crushed TV screens cover Hundred Acre Wood house by Denizen Works
CategoriesArchitecture

Crushed TV screens cover Hundred Acre Wood house by Denizen Works

By Zarkon Group,

Recycled TV screens cover the walls of the seven-bedroom Hundred Acre Wood house, which architecture studio Denizen Works has created on a site overlooking Loch Awe in Scotland.

Named Hundred Acre Wood, the castle-like dwelling was designed for a couple with six children on former Forestry Commission land with its own private lochan – a small lake.

House in former Forestry Commission land by Denizen Works
Denizen Works has created the Hundred Acre Wood house

Denizen Works has lowered the house into a hollow in the landscape, making it appear as though it emerges out from the ground on the north and south elevations.

According to the studio, this aims to give the home a protective quality, with the help of its monumental appearance that references the work of Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida.

Hundred Acre Wood beside lochan in Scotland
Its located on former Forestry Commission land with a lochan

“The brief was for a family home for our clients and their six children – as well as an increasing number of grandchildren – that would reflect their personalities and provide a lasting legacy for the family,” project architect Andrew Ingham told Dezeen.

“Conceptually, it was conceived as a sculpted solid, referencing the work of Eduardo Chillida, to heighten the sense of a protective shell that appears as a robust object in the landscape.”

Side profile of Hundred Acre Wood house by Denizen Works
The building has a monolithic form

While referencing the work of Chillida, the form of Hundred Acre Wood has also been developed in response to the home’s environmental context.

Its layout aims to ensure it has the least visual impact on the nearby road, it makes the most of its vantage point above Loch Awe and its rooms align with the movement of the sun.

Close-up of facade clad in recycled TV screens
It references the work of Spanish sculptor Eduardo Chillida

“The plan is narrow on the west elevation, where it was considered more sensitive due to views from the road below,” said Ingham.

“The form responds to the environmental context, key views and the site’s topography.”

Close of facade clad in crushed TV screens
Its rough exterior is clad in recycled TV screens

One of the most unusual features of Hundred Acre Wood is its facade, which is covered in recycled and crushed TV screens for a low-maintenance, pebbledash-like finish.

This was developed by Denizen Works as a “take on a traditional Scottish harling” – a rough wall finish that is made from lime and aggregate.

Hall of Hundred Acre Wood house by Denizen Works
The hall is the home’s centrepiece

“We sourced a decorative glass chipping created from recycled TV screens collected in Scotland which come in a lovely range of blue-greys which we felt was appropriate for the moody Scottish skies,” Ingham explained.

“Our client is also not keen on TVs, so there was an element of playfulness in their use.”

Circular skylight
It is naturally lit by an oculus

As the material had not been used on a building before, the studio had to develop prototypes with the construction materials company Sika to test its performance.

“Large sample panels were produced for client sign-off and to help convince the planners that the system would be successful,” added Ingham.

Inside, the focal point of Hundred Acre Wood is a central, double-height hall lit by an oculus in the ceiling.

This was designed to accommodate a five-metre-tall Christmas tree – one of the client’s main requests for Denizen Works.

Pared-back interior of Hundred Acre Wood by Denizen Works
Living spaces are arranged around the hall

Around the hall are the main living spaces and the seven bedrooms, all arranged to maximise views of the loch and sun throughout the day.

The majority of the interior has a deliberately pared-back finish to retain focus on the client’s furniture collection, but the hall is designed to be more dramatic.

Living room overlooking Loch Awe
The rooms have views over Loch Awe

“We wanted to use the finishes to create a sense of drama,” said Ingham, referencing the studio’s design for the hall.

“It features a recycled paper ceiling, clay walls with gold mica flecks and a screeded floor with exposed mirror aggregate,” he continued. “A large, gold-lead-lined oculus is situated over the Christmas tree pit and casts a warm glow into the space.”

Kitchen with sculptural pendant light and glazed wall
The interiors of deliberately pared-back

The thick walls of the home are visible in the deep window reveals of each room, bringing the sense of protection granted by its sculptural exterior to the interior.

Finishing details of the house include a ground source heat pump that provides heating and hot water, while a private borehole provides fresh water to the whole house.

As part of the landscape design, reed beds have been introduced to treat wastewater and rainwater, which is sent to the lochan.

Interior of Hundred Acre Wood by Denizen Works
The client’s furniture pieces have been used as focal points

Founded in 2011 by Murray Kerr, Denizen Works is an architecture studio with offices in London and Glasgow.

Other recently completed projects by the studio include the Floating Genesis church, which is crowned by a pop-up roof, and a house on the Scottish island of Tiree with a gable-shaped glass wall.

The photography is by Gilbert McCarragher.

Project credits:

Architect: Denizen Works
Project team: Charlotte Airey, Matthew Barnett, Andrew Ingham, Murray Kerr, Dimitri Savitchev
Client: Private

Reference