At the blueberry plantation Blankwater in Swalmen, Jasper Smits Architecten designed the latest addition: Boshuis Blankwater. It is a group accommodation featuring 15 spacious bedrooms. The wooden forest house is part of a 62-hectare estate that includes woodland, meadows, a blueberry plantation, and a lunch café: Plantage Blankwater.
Location
Delivery
Type
2024
size
Hospitality
Swalmen
730 m2
This unique location offers a remarkable experience of both the plantation and the surrounding forest. The black timber lodge, measuring 730 m², is modestly nestled in a forested nook at the edge of the woods. Visitors reach the building by walking from the parking area through the forest. Initially, the building blocks the full view of the plantation, but once inside, a wide panorama unfolds over the estate and the rows of blueberry bushes.
The building consists of two volumes. Together, they form a structure reminiscent of the local barns, which often feature attached extensions. Each volume has its own construction method and accommodates different parts of the program. One volume contains the shared living space, oriented toward the plantation; the other houses the sleeping quarters. The ground-floor bedrooms face the forest, while the upper-level rooms are oriented toward the sky and the blueberry fields. Each space establishes a unique connection to the stunning natural surroundings.
The shared space is designed to comfortably accommodate both large and small groups. Its roof rests on laminated timber beams supported by paired columns. These columns are set nearly two meters back from the facade, creating a more intimate feel within the large room. The sloping wooden roof provides both a sense of shelter and spaciousness.
The lodge was built on a minimal budget. Through smart choices in materials, floor construction, utilities, and a reduction in connection points, a very simple yet elegant wooden building was realized. The structure was entirely prefabricated in timber. The black wooden facade blends beautifully into the landscape. The steel roof has no gutters, allowing rainwater to flow directly into the natural environment. The large windows ensure the building changes with the light throughout the day—and with every season.
RAUMKULTUR, a collective of designers and makers, was responsible for the interior design and delivery of the (custom-made) furnishings. In the communal area, functional custom pieces such as the kitchen, cabinets, and tall tables were created by RAUMKULTUR. The wall lamps are inspired by plant forms. In the rooms and bathrooms, the custom design language continues in the headboards with movable nightstands, writing/luggage tables, and multifunctional vanity shelves with integrated lighting and towel hooks. The intentionally modest designs are a beautiful complement to the understated architecture of the building.
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Architect: Jasper Smits Architecten
Interior: Raumkultur
Photos: Jeroen Musch
GFA.: 730 m2
NFA: 649 m2
Volume: 2.381m3
Footprint: 516 m2
Building costs: € 950.000