In all started out with a book
When they decided to make the house more energy-efficient, the idea of renovating the existing building clashed with the suggestion of five other architects to demolish and rebuild it. Inspired by Stewart Brand’s How Buildings Learn, which states that a building’s life begins once the architect has finished, they wanted to give the house a future without compromising the value of its original design.
In collaboration with the clients, we developed a plan that minimized the energy needs of the house while retaining its appearance. We compartmentalized the house so that part of it could be closed off in the winter, reducing heating requirements – the ‘summer palace’ and ‘winter palace.’ The entrance was moved to the foot of the hill, better integrating the house with its surroundings.
A standout feature was the 40 cm thick green roof, which not only contributes to insulation but also visually connects the house with the surrounding landscape. The result? A fully energy-neutral home that generates enough energy to drive about 20,000 km electrically.
With this renovation, we achieved, for the first time in Dutch history, the transformation of an existing house into one that produces more energy than it consumes. This project shows that renovation can be a valuable choice, respecting the history of the building while adapting it to the needs of the future.
