FORT BLAUWKAPEL (BLUE CHAPEL) | GENT&MONK architecten

A private residence on the former ´Fort Blauwkapel´ that once was part of the New Dutch Waterline. The history of the location can be found in the design of the house. Fort Blauwkapel is part of the New Dutch Waterline. Historically, the law obliged that houses could only be built near a fortification if made out of combustible materials such as wood. In case of war the houses could quickly be demolished so the defenders had a free shooting range. Inspired by this historic site the house is, with exception of the chimney, completely build in untreated Plato Wood. The exposed structure consists of laminated beams and girders and the inner walls of birch plywood. The glasshouse was a big wish of the residents and is connected to the living area through double doors and a fireplace. With the glass addition the residents now have two houses. The glasshouse is their summer home. From March to October, they mostly live here. Both sides can be fully opened accessing into the garden. The glasshouse is separated from the wooden house by sliding doors. In winter the glasshouse is too cold so they live in the wooden part of the house. The residents wanted a house where the different living areas overlap by default. They did not have a preset idea of the layout of the house. They described the architect how they live together and how they interact with the environment. With that information GENT&MONK architects made a design for a house that is fully tailored to their individual needs: a light house with cozy rooms, an attached glasshouse and as little doors as possible. Residents can continuously be connected to each other. A realization of their wooden dream.