The Netherlands’s First Energy-Neutral Monumental House by Zecc Architects Wins BNA Building of the Year

Originally built at the end of the 20th century, a stunning villa sits within the tranquil Dutch village of Driebergen. Purchased not too long ago by a pair of preservation enthusiasts, the home was recently brought back to its orignal glory, furthermore becoming Holland's first energy-neutral monumental home. <a href="http://www.opai.eu/">OPAi </a>(One Planet Architecture Institute) developed the energy concept for the house, and then asked<a href="http://www.zecc.nl/"> Zecc Architects</a> to integrate their energy-neutral concept with a complete restoration and expansion of the classic home.

PV solar panels where discretely fixed on the roof preserving the village’s traditional aesthetics and providing the house with all the energy needed to run it. The solar panels give plenty of energy to the heat pumps located within the garden’s grounds. They provide the house’s heating -running through walls and floors- and solar energy collectors to heat the water boilers.

The glass box extension was built using stucco was made from crushed bricks from the demolished part of the house.

Some original elements, like the windows, have been left intact. They were embellished only with a thin layer of paint.

The original brickwork that covers the house’s facade is visible from the inside thanks to a new, visually striking double insulation.

The main house's layout remained close to the original and the new glass extension at the back contains a kitchen, a living room and dinning room.

The bathroom was kept simple, sharp and easy to clean.

After the completion of the house in Driebergen, Zecc Architects gained a magnific experience on the sustainable redevelopment of heritage monuments. Their project is the proud winner of the BNA Building Of The Year 2011.