A house in harmony with nature: the essential role of the facing brick in a modern, modest appearance

Horizontal lines surrounded by green

In mid-2017, Engel architects were commissioned to create a design for a house on a plot in the Trompenberg residential area in Hilversum, in a wooded area on the edge of the village.

The design consists of two elongated volumes that are perpendicular to each other and remain individually recognizable due to a height difference. Together the volumes form a cross-shaped floor plan, which ensures an abundance of daylight in all rooms. In the summer months, direct sunlight is kept out by awnings, which are not only aesthetic but also contribute to a cool indoor climate. The house is characterized by strong horizontal lines, accentuated by the canopies and the use of elongated bricks in the so-called Hilversum format. Large, diagonally placed glass surfaces strengthen the connection with the surrounding greenery, without affecting privacy.

The color and material palette for the house has been kept limited to ensure that the house blends in with the green environment. The facade is made of coral red brick in Hilversum format, type Linea 3016. This nuanced thin facing brick is produced according to the popular Wasserstrich method. The natural nuance in the facing brick, due to its traditional production process, provides a lively and modern appearance. The recessed ribbon joint supplemented with the unsanded finish accentuates the sleek lines of the house. The slender, black-gray aluminum frames and steel gutters contribute to the modern appearance.

The facade brick itself was extended to the interior of the house, where a play of light and texture emphasizes this recurring element. The interior walls are located in different rooms of the home and together ensure the unity of the home. The design and materialization create a home that is completely in harmony with its green environment, where the facing brick plays an essential role in creating a lively, modern yet modest appearance.

Comparable case studies

Jack Woolley's "Spiral House" with linea 3016

The site in Balham, abandoned for the past 15 years and overrun by Japanese knotweed, was originally the garden of a neighbouring building. It made the ground works complicated but the site unappealing to developers and hence affordable.