Barend Koolhaas worked for OMA and IDEO before setting up his own studio in Amsterdam and, yes, he is a relative of Rem Koolhaas. His latest project, House in Almen, was designed around one of its three exterior walls, made entirely from huge glass panes. This crystalline skin floods the open-plan living areas with daylight and ventilation, framing a cluster of trees, horses and farms behind.
Related: Architect Leo Qvarsebo’s triangular summer home doubles as a climbing wall
The sitting area was effortlessly created around a lean fireplace with scattered black details that match the darkened, locally sourced Douglas fir walls outside. Upstairs, the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom tucked beneath the roof’s slope and a large skylight overlooks the treetops.
Although this home was built with a tight budget, it manages a great energy-efficiency thanks to an ample insulation, installed heat exchanger and ventilation system.
+ BK
Images via Jeroen Musch
