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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

Using solid blocks to store heat
CategoriesSustainable News

Using solid blocks to store heat

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Energy cannot efficiently be stored for very long – and it is expensive to store it far from where it is produced. This is why, as the world transitions to sources of energy that are generated intermittently (such as solar and wind), the need for better energy storage solutions has risen to the forefront. Australian startup MGA Thermal has developed what it hopes will be a revolutionary new method for efficient storage of renewably generated energy.

MGA’s technology uses a new type of thermal storage material, called Miscibility Gap Alloys (MGA). These are capable of safely storing a huge amount of energy as heat. The company manufactures MGA blocks that contain particles of tiny metal alloys, dispersed in a matrix material. As the blocks are heated (using renewable sources), energy is absorbed and the particles melt. At the same time, the matrix material remains solid and holds the molten particles in place. When the blocks cool, the energy is released.

The company has recently received funding from Shell to build a pilot project that will demonstrate steam generation from the blocks. The pilot plant, which will only be around 12 metres by 3 metres in size, has a planned storage capacity of five megawatt-hours. The project will gather data to validate the efficacy of using the blocks as mid-to-long-term thermal storage in a practical system.

Energy innovators have their sights firmly set on developing much more efficient storage systems. Springwise has recently spotted several of these systems, including an iron-air battery and a salt battery small enough to use in electric vehicles.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference