mecanoo completes last renovation of villa 4.0 in the netherlands

mecanoo completes last renovation of villa 4.0 in the netherlands
image © pedro kok
all images courtesy of mecanoo

dutch studio mecanoo has completed the last of a series of renovations on a 1967 home in hilversum, the netherlands, called villa 4.0.  the original floor plan began as a somewhat hexagonal form in a lush green site surrounded by a natural wall of dense trees and a small brook running along one side. over the years, various owners have added onto the house to accommodate a larger program but in turn have also made the house increasingly more inward-looking and disconnected from the site. as a result, the design strategy was based on re-opening the home to the exterior while updating the structure’s sustainable performance. to begin with, all windows were replaced with more high efficient glazing, and outer walls and roofs were given insulation.

image © pedro kok

the walls in the central area of the house were demolished to open up a new living area with views on all four sides to the exterior. off of this space, the only addition project out onto the site- a pavilion fully enclosed in glass walls extends out towards the brook, placing the interior within the exterior setting. opaque and transparent walls alternate to form new views of the outside naturally guarded by the surrounding vegetation. much of the fenestration is oriented to the south so that the home can be heated naturally by sunlight in the winter, while a new concrete floor contains a radiant heating system that lends to the energy efficiency of the house. white interiors help refract the natural light throughout while skylights in the polygonal roof illuminate the deeper spaces so the interior now feels more a part of the exterior.

the house is renovated to become more connected with the exterior
image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

site lines through the house offer views of the site from all angles
image © pedro kok

full glass walls offer uninhibited views of the landscape
image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

while walls and polished concrete floor lend to a light-filled space
image © pedro kok

each hallway enjoys views to the outside
image © pedro kok

glass pavilion extends into the site offering views of the outside
image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

large skylights help the house feel as part of the outdoors
image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

glass pavilion area
image © pedro kok

main entrance
image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

image © pedro kok

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project info:

size: 542 m2
status: completed
project design: 2008 – 2009
project realisation: 2010 – 2011
address: hilversum, the netherlands
client: private
design team: dick van gameren in collaboration with iding interior design and michael van gessel landscape
program: fourth time renovation of an originally 1967 villa.
awards: bna project of 2012