With its sharp lines, immense glass facades and well-planned layout, the Hoijtink family’s beautiful house rises up as a sculpture deep in the vast forest just outside Zeist in the Netherlands. Here, nature becomes an indispensable part of life and the boundary between the indoors and outdoors seems to have vanished.
Anoek and Peter Hoijtink and their three children live in the middle of a magical forest, in the historical Dutch town of Zeist. Here, their impressive glass house provides a family setting that turns nature into a striking part of their everyday life – a must after having lived five exciting years in South Africa.
With its wide glass sections and flat roof, the house invites you to explore its modern architecture with large, open spaces and staircases that approach being art installations. The large sliding doors open the home completely, interconnecting it with the forest outside. The interior design straddles Scandinavian and Dutch design traditions, but with a special twist of curated pieces from Africa, seen scattered around the home – for instance, the large canoe from Mozambique, now used as a bench, or the statue from a Zulu tribe and the catapult originally used to scare away monkeys.
The home is centred around a minimalist kitchen from Danish kitchen company Vipp, whose black design contrasts the white walls and the natural light that flows in from all sides. The kitchen consists of free-standing modules for a light look, which proved to harmonise beautifully with the lines of the house.
When the couple bought the 365-m2 architectural dream, there was little they wanted to change. However, they needed a large, open space for the kitchen, dining and living room – so they had to tear down the walls that separated those rooms. They also followed the advice of Dutch architect studio Hofmandujardin, which designed the house, to clad some of the walls in wooden slats to improve the acoustics of the large glass house. A solution that is not only practical but also gives the house a tactile and natural element.
Stepping onto the enormous terrace encircling the house brings you into direct contact with the unadulterated nature that abounds in the area. Here, all kinds of trees shoot up from the understorey, and the wild garden is resplendent whatever the season. The family has created various oases around the property to gain the full benefit of all the nature.
– We waited a whole year before making any decisions regarding the outdoor design, because we wanted to know how the sun and wind behaved, explains Anoek.
NATURE PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL PART IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF THIS HOUSE, which creates a bridge between the interior sphere and the green forest outside. The couple who lives here waited a whole year before making any decisions about the outdoor space, the reason being to learn how the sun and wind behaved here. The wait paid off, enabling them to create a cosy lounge area in the exact spot where the sun shines during the day. AT THE END OF THE HOUSE, a similarly large space has been created in the form of a concrete terrace. This is where the family can enjoy the wild garden and a view of the beguiling nature. The large glass facades on the two storeys of the house underline their fascination with outdoor life, which here can be enjoyed wherever you are.
THE FAMILY WANTED ONE LARGE LIVING AREA holding both kitchen and dining room as well as space for the entire family. After many considerations and drawings, they opted for Vipp’s kitchen modules, whose black, minimalist design contrasts the white walls. Not wanting the kitchen elements to stand on a base, they lifted them up with legs, thus giving them a certain weightlessness in the big space. Surrounding the large dining table are Hans Wegner’s classic Y chairs, which draw parallels to the wood slatted wall. THE BLACK KITCHEN has a steel tabletop, one of the most practical materials to pick for a kitchen work surface. Juxtaposed with the concrete floor, it takes on a sophisticated and industrial look with distinct, clean lines. EVERY LINE IN THE HOUSE has been carefully considered, and the utter simplicity of the staircase, which almost merges with the wall, evokes a sense of calm. The space left around the staircase fosters coherence, offering a horizontal view through the house.
THE LIVING ROOM DESIGN is minimalist, and the enormous glass window makes art on the walls superfluous. The use of concrete for both the floor and terrace serves to merge the two and extends the living space. In the corner stands a memory from the family’s time abroad, a wood sculpture from Africa that breaks up the otherwise stringent, minimalist interior design. ANOEK AND PETER HOIJTINK with their dog Baloo in their new home near the historic town of Zeist in the Netherlands. It took much time and many considerations to attain the desired result, but they know beyond doubt it has been worth it. TO IMPROVE THE ACOUSTICS of the large spaces, some walls have been clad in wooden slats, not only for practical purposes, but also as a tactile addition to the space – perfect for a reading nook, as pictured here, where nature comes inside by way of a huge floor plant and the couple’s fascination with South African culture and modern design becomes clear. The distinctive lamp is called Parentesi and is from Flos. 117
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THE WALL IN THE OTHERWISE MINIMALIST HALL is decorated with a striking painting, and the floor with a rustic bench, both of which contrast with the modern architecture and calming colour palette. The view is also the salient feature of the second floor, and by hanging no curtains, they can enjoy the full glory of the view through the large floor-to-ceiling windows. THE SPACE AROUND THE STAIRCASE PROVIDES A SENSE OF cohesion, which thereby allows you to orient yourself across the two floors. THE STAIRCASE stands like a minimalist sculpture in the room, but does not overpower the visual space because it is as white as the walls.
THE BEDROOM provides direct access to the terrace through a glass door that closely resembles the windows. To create a cosy and warm ambience, the end wall has been painted a deep blue and the lighting by the bed is kept to a single lightbulb in a warm tone. The bed has dark textiles and pillows in various patterns that give the decor an extra touch of personality. Above the bed hangs a gallery shelf in a shade matching the wall to create calm. The couple’s love of South Africa, where they lived for a number of years, is clear in the few artworks and objects they have chosen to display. A VIEW INTO THE BATHROOM reveals a decor with the same sophisticated simplicity. Using the same type of tile on the floor and walls creates clean lines and an elegant calm interrupted only by the wooden towel rack. A skylight installed above the shower cabin allows light to flow in without compromising privacy. THE CHILDREN’S ROOM is a place for play, which is why a wooden playhouse has been allowed inside. Here the couple’s three children let their imaginations run free, or simply nestle into their beds. 121
THE DUTCH TOWN OF ZEIST, probably best known for the grand palace sharing its name, was the royal residence in the 18th century. However, the Hoijtink family were more attracted by the surrounding forest. Here they would have the peace and quiet as well as the space to grow and develop. So they had no doubts when they set out to collaborate with architect studio Hofmandujardin on building a new house. They wanted it to lie within the listed forest, surrounded by trees and fields with grazing sheep, a setting that would give them ample opportunity to spend time outdoors. LIGHT FLOWS INTO the bedroom where a simple bamboo chair and graphic artwork are placed in the corner. Everyone should be able to wake up to this view.