This Light-Filled Forest Home in the Netherlands Brings Nature Into Focus

In the town of Noordwijk, located an hour’s drive south of Amsterdam, there’s a bosvilla—or forest villa—tucked between towering ash and maple trees. The homeowners called upon Kevin Veenhuizen Architects to design a sustainable home that would embrace the landscape and suit their lifestyle long after their three children had grown.

The site was initially developed in 1928 as a psychological clinic for women, and the architects drew inspiration from the lush, green surroundings while collaborating closely with the couple to achieve a simple and humble home reflective of their personality. The dwelling’s square footprint is divided into four precisely arranged quadrants, and the four corners feature glass walls that open the structure to its natural environs.

The home’s orientation is designed to optimize daylighting. "It was important that the kitchen was oriented to the east so the clients could wake up and have breakfast with the sunrise," says architect Guillaume Pfefferle. "An opening to the west to enjoy the last ray of light after coming back from work in the evening was equally important."