Wolzak Old Farmyard

Wolzak by SeARCH | Photo © SeARCH, J.Musch, C.Richters

By SeARCH architecture and urban planning

Zutphen, Netherlands
Villa, 500 m²
635,000 € (2004)
Photography: SeARCH, Jeroen Musch , Christian Richters

Architects: How can the historical and spatial qualities of an old farmyard, with all its various outbuildings, be retained when the new function is that of a family residence?

The livestock barn which formed the stem of the traditional T-form farmhouse is demolished and replaced by a new building. This new extension attaches itself precisely to the opening left by the removal of the original barn, thus retaining the T-form. The new volume is skewed in plan giving it a distorting ‘pulled and dragged’ perspective.

: Wolzak by SeARCH | Photo © SeARCH, J.Musch, C.Richters

: Wolzak by SeARCH | Photo © SeARCH, J.Musch, C.Richters

The existing farmhouse and outbuildings are divided programmatically from the new extension. Living accommodation is situated in the existing building with the adjoining part of the extension housing a large open kitchen space and the entrance, situated between the new and existing.

The load bearing construction of the extension consists of a series of solid prefabricated wooden plates

The workroom, guest accommodation and garden store are all located in the remainder of the new volume separated from the living spaces by a large conservatory. The freestanding barn is retained with an option for a future swimming pool conversion. The load bearing construction of the extension consists of a series of solid prefabricated wooden plates. They define the building’s internal finishes and influence the quality of the interior space. By cladding the roof and elevations with a continuous skin of horizontal timber laths, the façades simultaneously have the appearance of being open, semi-transparent and closed.