A layered dike house
Built into the slope of the dike, the house first reveals itself from the street-facing side, where two levels suggest a compact volume. Only later, when moving around the property, a third level becomes visible: the garden-level basement, entirely hidden from view at the front. This contrast between the higher front and lower rear formed an important starting point for the redesign of both exterior and interior.
Approaching the front, the renewed façade shows the house brought back to life. Originally built some twenty years ago, it was completely revised — with new brickwork, stuccoed and widened dormers, and carefully repositioned windows and doors. The roof was renewed with new tiles and a calmer, more refined roofline, giving the house a composed expression when arriving. The main entrance was reimagined to align with this new architectural clarity.
Stepping inside, the circulation immediately feels rethought: the interior was completely stripped and rebuilt, not only renewed but fundamentally reorganised. Every space was given a clear function and is now interconnected, allowing light and movement to flow naturally through the home.
At the heart of this new routing lies the Piet Boon EDGE kitchen, which connects directly to the terrace, the dining area, and the everyday coffee table. From here, one overlooks the garden and guesthouse beyond, and thanks to the redesigned terrace, the garden is now directly accessible — which was not previously the case. The main dining area extends this axis, framing long sightlines through the house.
Moving towards the main living area on dike level, natural stone and warm materials define the atmosphere. Here, the relationship between inside and outside becomes tangible, with views extending towards the lower garden. A more casual dining or coffee setting anchors the everyday rhythm of the house in intimacy. From this area, the transparency of the new layout is enhanced by Jansen doors, allowing daylight to travel from the street side, through the wine cellar, towards the garden. The wine cabinet underlines this new visual connection.
The staircase, now repositioned and rotated, marks the transition to the first floor. A new window brings in more daylight, guiding the ascent.
Upstairs, the main bedroom benefits from enlarged dormers that allow more natural light into the bathrooms, making them feel better proportioned to the architecture. The bedroom is openly connected to its en-suite bathroom, allowing light to flood deep into the space. A custom-made wardrobe wall doubles as a mirror and accommodates an intimate make-up area, adding a layer of refinement to the private quarters.
Back on the garden level, this floor also accommodates the home’s most frequently used entrance. Since the residents often enter the property via the rear, this entrance was given a more prominent character and now functions as the de facto main entrance. Adjacent to it lies the home office with fireplace and glass façade to the garden, creating a calm workspace anchored to the landscape. A secondary living space, functioning as both TV room and guest accommodation thanks to a built-in Murphy bed, adds flexibility to this level.
Outside, the garden reveals the full layered character of the house. The levels are connected by a freestanding, widened staircase placed away from the façade — not only functional, but also a sculptural element with space for large pots and plants. From the terrace above the home office, one overlooks the garden, the lower-lying guesthouse, and the swimming pool.
The existing outbuilding made way for a generous guesthouse, designed in the same architectural language and materiality as the main house. Roof and façades align seamlessly with the overall design. Inside, the guesthouse accommodates a bar, sauna, and lounge; outside, the parking area was expanded. Together with the pool, it forms an ensemble in which house and garden enhance one another.
Throughout the home, Piet Boon furniture and upholstery create a timeless and sophisticated atmosphere with a refined, tone-on-tone palette and robust, natural materials. At the heart of the house, the Piet Boon EDGE kitchen expresses the studio’s signature in its purest form.
In close collaboration with the residents, a curated selection of art and ceramics was integrated. Works by Natura Ceramica, Anouk Kramer, Erik Buijs, Inge Becka, Silje Lindrup, D. Valner, Floris Wubben, and Canoa Lab add to the home’s layered and personal atmosphere. Each piece was chosen for its materiality, form, and dialogue with the architecture.
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At Studio Piet Boon we always put tireless effort into getting to know our clients. It allows us to deliver the most relevant designs and exceed expectations. As we delve into the wishes and the purpose of a project, each Studio Piet Boon design is tailor made.
