corten steel gable roof tops renovated garden shack by bloot architecture in the netherlands

Solitair in Lelystad Enhances Existing Home and Garden

Solitair project by Bloot Architecture sees the renovation and extension of a detached house in Lelystad, creating a single-level living space suitable for lifelong occupancy. The renovation involved resizing the existing garage to incorporate a bathroom and a built-in wardrobe, while the new extension provides a bedroom that stands nearly free within the garden. This extension is designed to resemble a garden house, connected to the existing structure like a peninsula.

Accessed through a utility room, the entrance to the new hall and bathroom features a lock-like passage that transitions into an open space reminiscent of a natural setting. Positioned among existing trees, the extension enhances the experience of being immersed in the garden environment. A large Accoya wooden sliding door, which glides along the facade, strengthens the connection to nature. The corten steel roof is designed to manage rainwater, directing it past the windows with an overhang and into a red mine grit area below.

all images by Jeroen Musch

bloot’s extension Balances Nature and Architecture

The facade is clad in Viroc panels, which offer the raw aesthetic of concrete but are more manageable and cost-effective. A glass wall, extending above low built-in cabinets, creates an illusion of continuity within the space. The glass wraps around the corners, giving the roof a floating appearance and extending the visual experience of the interior. The design of the glass wall, which begins at bed height, allows views of the garden from the bedroom. Privacy is maintained as neighboring properties do not have direct sightlines into the space, reducing the need for window blinds. The roof design features a low edge that provides just enough clearance for walking, while the center rises higher, creating dynamic contrasts in spatial perception.

The existing house, characterized by a neutral design typical of ‘catalog homes,’ benefits from the matured garden developed over two decades. Inspired by this established landscape, the designers at Bloot Architecture strategically positioned the extension to minimize its visual connection to the existing house. Consequently, the extension is able to assert itself as a distinct room within the garden, rather than competing with the original architecture.

the project creates a single-level space tailored for a retired couple

the new bedroom extension resembles a garden house

the corten steel roof manages rainwater, directing it with an overhang

Viroc panels clad the facade, offering a raw concrete aesthetic

a large Accoya wooden sliding door reinforces the connection to nature

bedroom views of the garden are facilitated by the strategically placed glass wall

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interior

bedroom

model

project info:

name: Solitair
architect: Bloot Architecture | @blootarchitecture

lead architect: Tjeerd Bloothoofd

contractor: Riezebos Bouwbedrijf

location: Lelystad, Netherlands

photography: Jeroen Musch | @jeroen_musch

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom