Dutch Barn with Peaceful Undulating Roof Made of Local Reeds

Doesn't this little cottage look like the perfect peaceful spot to get away from it all for the weekend? <a href="http://www.24h.eu/">24H Architecture</a> recently completed the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=farmhouse">farmhouse</a>-like retreat in the Netherlands countryside, and if you take a closer look, its roof is rather fascinating. Its wavy form is so precise that it looks like it could be made out of man-made materials, but it was actually constructed of reeds collected just 5kms from the building site! How's that for local?

Dubbed Reet Barn (we are guessing "reet" is the Dutch word for "reed") the structure is located in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkmaar">Alkmaar</a>, a part of the Netherlands known for its cheese market. (Note the windmill in the background).

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=24h+architecture">24H Architecture</a> designed the barn with a square base and a wooden roof "that is tilled towards the prevailing south-western wind blowing over the open polders."

The large overhangs protect the barn from wind and rain.

They also create covered areas for both work and rest.

One side of the barn has storage for firewood.

But we were more interested in this side - the one with the relaxing looking chairs.

As we mentioned earlier, one of the coolest things about the Reet Barn is that the reeds used to cover the roof were cut at a local lake just 5kms away from the build site.

The picture 24H sent us to the reeds being collected.

As for the inspiration behind the roof's shape, 24H says "Its <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/11/04/wave-shaped-solar-cruise-ship-terminal-envisioned-for-taiwan/">waving pattern</a> reflects the wind, like it makes waves in the water."

A close up look at the reets a.k.a. reeds.

And it's not just the roof that is sustainable - the rest of the structure is all <a href="http://www.fscus.org/faqs/what_is_certification.php">FSC certified</a> birch wood.

The vast countryside is the Reet Barn's back yard.