Family House
Ameland
A large family house on Ameland that combines a traditional whaler’s house typology with contemporary architecture. Two contrasting volumes and materials create a refined composition, while timber construction and solar energy make the house nearly energy-neutral.
The commission was to design a large family house on Ameland. Due to its location within a protected village area, the project was subject to strict aesthetic regulations, requiring a traditional whaler’s house typology with yellow brickwork and red roof tiles.
The design developed into a front house intended for permanent occupation. This volume is executed with great precision and restraint, without roof overhangs. Inserted into this primary structure is a second house, intended for visiting family members. T
he rear volume falls outside the traditional regulatory framework, allowing for greater architectural freedom. The result is a dynamic composition based on the interaction between two geometric forms, a square and a diamond, and two materials, brick and wood.
The relationship between the volumes creates a subtle tension between tradition and contemporary design. The project was realized in collaboration with daughter Romy Kokke, who designed the refined interior.
The house is fully constructed in timber, using CLT and HSB systems. The brick facade required by the local aesthetic committee is built from reclaimed, hand-cut old bricks in the traditional “klomp” format. This masonry shell stands free around the timber structure, clearly expressing the distinction between structure and cladding. Equipped with solar panels and thermal collectors, the house operates as a near energy-neutral building.
The combination of traditional appearance, modern construction techniques and sustainable performance results in a future-proof family home that respects its historical context.
