July 5, 2010 at 8:58 am

A Beautiful Bungalow Built Atop A Pond

by twistedsifter

Photograph by Pieter Kers

Surrounded by greenery, this gorgeous bungalow in Veenendaal, Netherlands, exudes tranquility. Designed by architect Paul de Ruiter, Villa Berkel sits perched atop a small pond; with wall-to-wall windows throughout. Be sure to check out the outdoor tub on porch and the bathroom with the most incredible view!

Photograph by Pieter Kers

Photograph by Pieter Kers

VILLA BERKEL

Architect: Paul de Ruiter
Location: Veenendaal, Netherlands
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Constructed Area: 277 sqm (2,981 sq ft)
Site Area: 1,232 sqm (13,261 sq ft)
Construction year: 2004-2005

Photograph by Pieter Kers

Photograph by Pieter Kers

FROM THE ARCHITECT – PAUL DE RUITER

The woods around Villa Berkel, in Veenendaal, are dark, which means it is important to ensure that as much light can enter the house as possible. However, the more glass is used in a building, the more difficult it is to maintain the dividing line between inside and outside, private and public.

Therefore the building plot is divided into three long strips at right angles to the road. The bottom and southernmost strip is reserved for the garden, the middle strip contains the villa itself and the most northern strip offers access to the house: this is where the drive, parking space and the entrance are located. This layout of the site means that those parts of the house that the residents prefer to keep private are out of sight.

Photograph by Pieter Kers

The stunning view from one of the bathrooms

Photograph by Pieter Kers

Built-in outdoor tub that looks like a submarine hatch. Love it!

Photograph by Pieter Kers

The home also features a sauna and an incredible garden that spans the width of the property. The pond is small and appears man-made but adds a beautiful touch to the natural surroundings. I like how the wall facing the driveway and more public area of the property is covered while the more private and parallel wall is dominated by floor to ceiling windows. The layout also keeps the common and entertaining area completely separate from the master bedroom.