Villa Poeloever

Villa Poeloever is situated in a unique location along a road where the urban ribbon transitions into the open landscape of De Poel. The residence is part of the redevelopment of a former garden center and sports shop into a small-scale residential area. The design draws on the historic structure of the legakkers—the narrow, elongated strips of the original peat landscape. By reintroducing this orientation, a series of plots has been created that restores and strengthens the relationship with the water. In doing so, the historic landscape becomes tangible once again, not only for residents but also for those passing by along the adjacent walking and cycling path.

The villa is organized around a cross-shaped axis that connects four spatial quadrants for living, cooking, exercising, and sleeping. From the heart of the house, views extend in all directions over the water and the surrounding landscape. Interior and exterior spaces flow seamlessly together through deep terraces, covered verandas, and framed sightlines, while the water is literally drawn inward to touch the core of the home. The villa invites calm, observation, and stillness—a sensory experience of living with the water.

The cross axis divides the floor plan into four quadrants, while the space between the ground floor and the upper level introduces a second cut that allows light and views to move through the house in layers. The villa is part of the transformation of a former industrial site into a high-quality residential environment, where historic landscape features have been restored and combined with contemporary water management techniques. Bands of natural stone and areas of rough stucco give the house a robust, natural character. The smooth stone contrasts with the coarse texture of the stucco, while large glass surfaces reflect the play of water, light, and air.