Archinect
Studio Selva

Studio Selva

Amsterdam, NL

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The glass reflects the colors, patterns and light of the surroundigs
The glass reflects the colors, patterns and light of the surroundigs
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Mirror House

After De Realiteit and De Fantasie, the third edition of small experimental housing settlements in Almere has been launched under the title De Eenvoud. The brief of the competition called for an individual house with a strong relation to its surroundings. The twelve winning teams were given the possibility to realize their designs in an open area in the forest of Noorderplassen-West, but had to find the buyers of the houses themselves.

The Mirror House is a private villa with a facade consisting entirely of reflective glass, which acts as a camouflage and an obstruction of the view of its interior. The floorplan has been designed to be as compact as possible, with the possibility to adapt to different lifestyles. In dialogue with the client, the competition proposal was worked out to the smallest detail, taking a demand for optimum accessibility into consideration. The original concept with a slightly raised floor (for a better view), sliding doors, built-in cupboards and a single-level layout, has therefore been further refined. Long sightlines in the interior make the house appear larger from the inside, and anchor it to its surroundings. All interior walls are covered with a birch multiplex panel, whose warm appearance contrasts with the elegant and strict glass facade.

 
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Status: Built
Location: Almere-Stad, NL
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: In collaboration with Anouk Vogel

 
Close-up of garden entrance
Close-up of garden entrance
The street facade has a secret window behind the glass panels, with a view of the street and neighboring plots
The street facade has a secret window behind the glass panels, with a view of the street and neighboring plots
Only a doorhandle visually separates the main entrance from the rest of the facade
Only a doorhandle visually separates the main entrance from the rest of the facade
All interior walls are covered with a birch multiplex panel
All interior walls are covered with a birch multiplex panel
Long sightlines in the interior make the house appear larger from the inside
Long sightlines in the interior make the house appear larger from the inside
View from the living room towards the forest
View from the living room towards the forest