Vincent van Leeuwen designed Villa Ruwiel in Breukelen, Netherlands, in 2022. Situated on a historic estate, the house features an asymmetrical roof inspired by local barns, providing shade and connecting the interior to the landscape. Clad in Fraké wood, the energy-neutral home offers panoramic views and natural light through large sliding windows.
Vincent van Leeuwen designed Villa Ruwiel, located in Breukelen, Netherlands. Surrounded by vast agricultural fields and overlooking a Natura 2000 area, the historic estate houses a contemporary home with an asymmetrical roof inspired by old barns in the area.
This design captures the simplicity and functionality of traditional farm buildings, adapting these elements to create a contemporary, energy-efficient home. Until 2020, the site was home to a goat farm, but has since been transformed into two lots, forming an ensemble together with the original farmhouse Nieuw Ruwiel and its hay-barn.
The roofs of these barns often protruded and provided space with generous heights for work. In the case of Villa Ruwiel, the roof forms a large canopy that not only shelters the entrance and terraces but also connects the house to the surrounding landscape visually and spatially.
Designed with a focus on energy efficiency, the house is entirely energy-neutral. The large overhang provides shade in summer while allowing sunlight in winter, naturally contributing to the interior climate. A set of 18 photovoltaic panels on the adjacent building keeps the roof clean and meets more than the house’s energy needs.
The exterior uses elements that can be found in old farms and barns, often applied because of functional needs or simply the availability of sources. The lower portion of the façade is made of brick, offering protection from the elements, while the upper sections are clad in horizontal planks of durable Fraké wood.
Simple details, like the visible gutters, serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. Large sliding windows on the west side provide panoramic views and flood the ground floor with natural light. Together, these elements refer to the practical nature of the old barns, which can be acknowledged as young heritage.
The house consists of two floors, designed as an open floor plan. The main living areas include the open kitchen, dining room, and living room, which are located on the ground floor. Adjacent to these spaces are the entrance and the master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.
The partially double-height space connects to the first floor, where a guest room and office with archive cabinets are located. Long sightlines link the internal spaces to the surrounding landscape.
Just like the interior, the garden is made of elements featuring taller plantings and fruit trees. This way, it’s not only extending the living space but also creates a dialogue with the freestanding trees along the Aa and the open character of the surrounding countryside.
