MVRDV orients 'villa stardust' around an outdoor living room akin to a moroccan riad

MVRDV has transformed a former commercial building in rotterdam into a sunlit and spacious private home. inspired by the typology of a moroccan riad — a type of traditional interior garden or courtyard — the internal living spaces of ‘villa stardust’ are oriented around a vibrant central garden patio. the chosen materials and palette of colors give the dwelling a mediterranean sensibility and lend a rich visual texture to the villa’s tranquil interior.

all images by daria scagliola

MVRDV has designed villa stardust’s central garden as an outdoor living room enclosed by the building at its four perimeter faces. as a former commercial building with limited privacy due to neighboring structures, the insertion of the 230 square meter central patio became a key element in the site’s transformation. perforating the building’s deep footprint, the garden allows the building to breathe and ensures that all interior living areas receive ample natural light and ventilation. sufficient floor space remains internally to not only house a family of five and offer a clear interior-exterior connection, but also to accommodate the client’s small medical practice, all on a single level.

internally, moroccan embellishments become elements of emphasis within an otherwise quiet palette. the fit-out includes a kitchen with a powder-coated stainless steel block, as well as a tribune structure in the living space which simultaneously incorporates a media room and storage. this hierarchy establishes a consistent rhythm that creates harmony both within the home, and between the dwelling and its surrounding environment. 

project info: 

year: 2020
project name: villa stardust
location: rotterdam
size and program: 770m2 private residence

architect: MVRDV
founding partner in charge: nathalie de vries
partner/director: fokke moerel
design team: roy sieljes, elien deceuninck, daniella persson, natalia lipczuk
images: daria scagliola
copyright: MVRDV 2018 – (winy maas, jacob van rijs, nathalie de vries) partners

project management: DEGVAST huisadvies & ontwerp, ron de gast
contractor: AvT interieur en bouw, adriaan van trigt
planting advisor: stek, rotterdam