Villa Uitdam transforms a historic agricultural farmstead into a visionary residence that reconnects people with nature. Set within a landscape where 16 hectares have been thoughtfully returned to ecological habitat, the design reinterprets the traditional 16th century Waterlandse stolp typology for the 21st century. The result is a modern rural villa that balances heritage, sustainability, and spatial ingenuity.
At the heart of the project is a contemporary langstaartstolp—a long tailed barn typology—where the elongated “tail” becomes more than structure: it is an educational beacon. Through this extension, visitors are invited to engage with the restored natural landscape, fostering awareness of ecological regeneration and land stewardship.
Villa Uitdam is net zero in energy performance. A generous array of photovoltaic panels and a high efficiency geo thermal heat pump provide clean, renewable energy year round. Surplus energy is stored in integrated battery systems, ensuring resilience and self sufficiency. The main volume of the house is derived from a 17 × 17 m square, from which a 4 × 8 m portion has been thoughtfully subtracted. This subtraction is not merely spatial economy—it is a daylight strategy. The primary form reads as a contemporary pyramid, and without the intervention on the primary volume, the generous roof planes would limit natural light to the upper bedrooms. By carving out this void, daylight now penetrates deeply, animating the first floor rooms and enhancing spatial quality throughout.
Sustainability extends beyond energy performance to the very fabric of the building. The external envelope is a vapor open assembly with breathable wood wool insulation that supports a healthy indoor climate and materials that age gracefully. A fully exposed oak timber structure underpins the villa’s tactile warmth and structural clarity, celebrating craftsmanship and material integrity.
Villa Uitdam is both a home and a narrative: a dwelling that honours tradition while advancing environmental responsibility, where architecture and ecology are inseparable.
