seARCH distorts typical dutch farmhouse with its slanting skewed stolp

netherlands-based studio seARCH offers a sculptural and contemporary interpretation of the traditional dutch farmhouse typology with its ‘skewed stolp.’ the extended house is sheltered by low extended eaves on three side while the fourth facade opens to the sweeping view with full height glazing and wide barn-style doors. while farmhouses typical of north-holland, known as ‘stolp,’ are traditionally expressive of a strong, distinct volume, the contemporary extension by seARCH obscures this characteristically normative profile.

image © ossip van duivenbode

the new extension which makes up seARCH’s skewed stolp is characterized by a ‘skewed’ roof which slants upward from the square and protrudes over the original brick facades. this irregular roof type covers the original structure, a traditional stolp which is organized around a centralized core. this central space is square in plan and comprises a hayloft overlooking the full height space. encircling the core is a collection of private residential spaces along with the barn which opens inward toward the square. on two sides the extended skewed roof extension generates a zone of reaching seven meters in width where a new living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms are situated.

image © ossip van duivenbode

the original stolp structure beneath the skewed intervention by seARCH comprises the bedrooms, study, and service areas. the living room, with its sloping concrete floor slab, offers a panoramic vista which spans 32 meters length and overlooks the beautiful dutch landscape. in contrast, the oak-clad private rooms have a more introverted interior. the original, previously derelict stolp had been finished in timber siding which had deteriorated along the east facade beyond repair. this condition is replaced by dutch-firm zwarthout with a single ‘patchwork’ facade of different varieties of treated wood according to the japanese shou sugi ban technique of preserving and antiquing wood.

image © iwan baan