Outside In by i29

Located in a small town on the Netherlands’ border with Belgium lies Outside In, a house which, as its name suggests, integrates the outdoor spaces at every opportunity. The result of a collaboration between Dutch creatives i29 and Bedaux de Brouwer Architecten, Outside In wraps around an internal courtyard and large pool and patio area, uniting with the garden at every turn. With sustainability and efficient energy consumption at the core of the design, i29’s environmentally-conscious family home ensures the architecture takes shape around the natural landscape. 

Presenting as a vast dark brick volume from afar, the home reveals a considered and unified layout upon entry. The U-shaped kitchen, dining room and living room are linked through the verdant internal garden, while the bedrooms are horizontally aligned with equal views of the pool. A built-in window seat runs parallel to the internal courtyard, allowing one to immerse themselves in the greenery while remaining inside. Plywood subtly connects each area to the next, evident in the living room flooring, kitchen joinery and hallway storage.

Full-height sliding doors in the dining room open up onto the outdoor dining and entertaining area, providing ample natural light and space to retreat to. Storage required for family living is cleverly concealed behind floor-to-ceiling timber doors, while built-in wall-mounted storage in the children’s bedrooms displays toys and books.

The house is built for effective use of energy, including geothermal energy storage, a heat pump, roof solar panels and shutters around the perimeter of the home to regulate sunlight. The exterior offers a taste of the biophilic design to come, with large planters integrated into the facade.

I29 and Bedaux de Brouwer Architecten have steered clear of unnecessary details, creating a family home that places worthy attention onto its lush garden.