Curving House Facade Wrapped Around An Olive Tree

Casa Kwantes is definitely not the type of house that would blend in, especially in a traditional setting which is pretty much how you could describe the surroundings in this part of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The house was a project developed between 2014 and 2016 by MVRDV, a practice founded in 1993. The studio’s highlight collaborative, research-based design method inspires them to offer unique solutions to contemporary architectural and urban issues.

Casa Kwantes skylight
Casa Kwantes is the ultimate tailor-made home, perfectly customized for its site and inhabitants
Casa Kwantes skylight
The old olive tree present on the site is an important element that shaped the facade of the house
Casa Kwantes skylight
The olive tree stands proud at the core of the house, integrated into the deck floor that curves around it

The residence’s 480 square meter program is organized on two levels with spaces that open onto a garden. The overall design is inspired by the modernist architecture of the 1930’s, being defined by a few elements such as strong contrasts between the flat and fluid surfaces or the open and enclosed spaces but also by a design trajectory that’s a bit more avant-garde compared to the neighboring buildings. This vintage-modern direction is also emphasized by the ivory brick facade.

Casa Kwantes skylight
The street facade, by contrast, has straight lines and no windows
Casa Kwantes skylight
The rear facade has fluid, undulating lines that wrap around the tree and envelop it like waves
Casa Kwantes skylight
This side of the house also has full-height windows and sliding doors that open it to the surroundings

The client wanted the house to offer a strong sense of enclosure and, at the same time, to receive lots of daylight and to include open-plan spaces. This perfect balance was achieved by the architects by giving the house two very different facades. The rear facade faces the garden and is completely open to the outdoors, featuring full-height windows, curved walls, a patio and, the focal point: a single olive tree at the core of it all. In contrast to all this, the street facade has no windows and its brick structure is defined by straight lines and angles.

Casa Kwantes skylight
The interior spaces receive abundant daylight but are also shaded by the cantilevers
Casa Kwantes skylight
The windows curve along with the facade walls and embrace the olive tree that stands proud at the center of the deck
Casa Kwantes skylight
All in all, the architecture of the house is sensible to both the surroundings and the needs and desires of those living inside
Casa Kwantes skylight
The bedrooms are situated upstairs and they all share a long and sinuous balcony

Another interesting detail about this house is the fact that it features a clear day-night separation. The bedrooms are all placed on the upper level, sharing a balcony while the public spaces such as the lounge area, the kitchen and the dining space are on the ground floor, framed by the curving glass facade and with views of the beautiful olive tree.

Casa Kwantes skylight
The balcony cantilevers over the ground floor plan, offering shade and framing the spaces
Casa Kwantes skylight
The entrance to the house is quite unusual, being wonderfully integrated into the design of the brick facade
Casa Kwantes skylight
The entrance is like a fold, like an indent that curves into the house and reveals the way in

The entrance is like a gentle fold into the brick facade, being almost hard to spot. It seamlessly leads you into the house, making the transition really smooth and pleasant.

Casa Kwantes skylight
The ground floor contains the social areas, this being the open kitchen
Casa Kwantes skylight
Some spaces such as the storage area, a bathroom and the pantry are hidden behind this wall
Casa Kwantes skylight
A floating, black staircase connects the two floors and highlights the contrasting nature of the house’s design
Casa Kwantes skylight
This staircase runs parallel to the wall lined with wooden doors that was already mentioned
Casa Kwantes skylight
Skylights and bright colors bring light and openness into the spaces that don’t have windows