the-transformation-of-this-1970s-home-is-almost-unrecognizable
ArchitectureNews

The Transformation of This 1970s Home Is Almost Unrecognizable

This striking modern home showcases the power of simplicity through its dark wood cladding and clean, rectangular form. Vertical wood slats add texture and rhythm to the facade, while the deep black finish helps the structure blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Generously sized windows are thoughtfully positioned to capture views of the landscape and invite daylight into the interior, all while maintaining the home’s strong architectural lines.

What does sustainable design look like when it starts with what already exists? In Eindhoven, a 1970s villa in disrepair has been thoughtfully transformed by Wenink Holtkamp Architecten into an energy-neutral home that honors its architectural roots. Tucked beneath tall trees on the edge of the city, the house now balances past and present through a renovation that prioritizes preservation over demolition. The result is a quiet evolution of form and function, where original character meets contemporary comfort.

Before its transformation, the villa showed clear signs of age. The brick, wood, and glass exterior was worn, the layout dated, and much of the interior in need of repair. Still, there was something worth saving.

Before its transformation, this villa showed clear signs of age. The brick, wood, and glass exterior was worn, the layout dated, and much of the interior in need of repair. Still, there was something worth saving.
Before its transformation, this villa showed clear signs of age. The brick, wood, and glass exterior was worn, the layout dated, and much of the interior in need of repair. Still, there was something worth saving.
Before its transformation, this villa showed clear signs of age. The brick, wood, and glass exterior was worn, the layout dated, and much of the interior in need of repair. Still, there was something worth saving.
Before its transformation, this villa showed clear signs of age. The brick, wood, and glass exterior was worn, the layout dated, and much of the interior in need of repair. Still, there was something worth saving.

Clad in finely sawn preserved black pine wood, the updated facade adds visual depth and warmth. On the ground floor, the wood is carved with a deep relief that softens the appearance at eye level, while the upper floor features smoother panels for contrast.

This striking modern home showcases the power of simplicity through its dark wood cladding and clean, rectangular form. Vertical wood slats add texture and rhythm to the facade, while the deep black finish helps the structure blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Generously sized windows are thoughtfully positioned to capture views of the landscape and invite daylight into the interior, all while maintaining the home’s strong architectural lines.
This striking modern home showcases the power of simplicity through its dark wood cladding and clean, rectangular form. Vertical wood slats add texture and rhythm to the facade, while the deep black finish helps the structure blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Generously sized windows are thoughtfully positioned to capture views of the landscape and invite daylight into the interior, all while maintaining the home’s strong architectural lines.

This textured layering works in harmony with the dappled light filtering through the surrounding trees, creating a living facade that changes throughout the day.

This striking modern home showcases the power of simplicity through its dark wood cladding and clean, rectangular form. Vertical wood slats add texture and rhythm to the facade, while the deep black finish helps the structure blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Generously sized windows are thoughtfully positioned to capture views of the landscape and invite daylight into the interior, all while maintaining the home’s strong architectural lines.

A minimalist black canopy extends over the front door, adding a sharp architectural detail while providing a touch of shelter. The path leading to the entrance combines poured concrete slabs and gravel, complementing the organic tones of the landscape and guiding visitors toward the recessed doorway with understated elegance.

The entryway of this contemporary home is defined by its refined use of dark-stained wood cladding, arranged in narrow vertical strips that give the façade a strong, modern rhythm. The clean lines are softened by the play of natural light and shadow filtering through the surrounding trees, creating a subtle, ever-changing texture on the surface. A minimalist black canopy extends over the front door, adding a sharp architectural detail while providing a touch of shelter. The path leading to the entrance combines poured concrete slabs and fine gravel, complementing the organic tones of the landscape and guiding visitors toward the recessed doorway with understated elegance. This close-up view reveals the thoughtful craftsmanship and restrained palette that give the home its calm and confident presence.

A major shift in the renovation was the introduction of larger windows and facade openings. These interventions invite more natural light into the home, especially important given the dense tree cover around the property.

Within the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, the layout of this modern home is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above.
Within the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, the layout of this modern home is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above.

A rear balcony was removed to allow light to reach the living room more directly, and new openings were placed strategically to frame garden views and enhance the interior atmosphere. The result is a home that feels brighter, more open, and more connected to its natural setting.

Within the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, the layout of this modern home is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above.

At night, the villa takes on a quiet, luminous presence beneath the trees. Warm interior lighting spills through the expansive windows, while the interplay of light and dark reveals the layered details of the renovation.

As evening sets in, this modern home reveals its warm, inviting character. Behind the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, soft interior lighting glows through expansive glass doors and windows, creating a cozy contrast with the surrounding trees. The layout is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above. Light spills gently onto the gravel paths outside, highlighting the clean architectural lines and the connection between indoors and out. Curtains add privacy without sacrificing the airy, transparent feel. Set against a backdrop of tall trees and lush greenery, the home feels private yet open, minimal yet welcoming. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful architecture can feel both modern and timeless when paired with nature.
As evening sets in, this modern home reveals its warm, inviting character. Behind the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, soft interior lighting glows through expansive glass doors and windows, creating a cozy contrast with the surrounding trees. The layout is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above. Light spills gently onto the gravel paths outside, highlighting the clean architectural lines and the connection between indoors and out. Curtains add privacy without sacrificing the airy, transparent feel. Set against a backdrop of tall trees and lush greenery, the home feels private yet open, minimal yet welcoming. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful architecture can feel both modern and timeless when paired with nature.
As evening sets in, this modern home reveals its warm, inviting character. Behind the bold silhouette of dark wood cladding, soft interior lighting glows through expansive glass doors and windows, creating a cozy contrast with the surrounding trees. The layout is open and fluid, with living spaces stretching across the ground floor and private rooms above. Light spills gently onto the gravel paths outside, highlighting the clean architectural lines and the connection between indoors and out. Curtains add privacy without sacrificing the airy, transparent feel. Set against a backdrop of tall trees and lush greenery, the home feels private yet open, minimal yet welcoming. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful architecture can feel both modern and timeless when paired with nature.

The living room preserves the spirit of the original design while gaining a renewed sense of openness and ease. The iconic sunken sitting pit remains at the heart of the space, offering a nostalgic yet timeless focal point. Wenink Holtkamp Architecten opened up the floor plan to connect the living area more naturally with the kitchen and dining spaces, creating a fluid layout that encourages movement and connection. Interior design by Baas & Kleinbloesem complements this transformation with understated materials and warm textures that respond beautifully to the natural light now streaming in from multiple directions.

This living room blends comfort and calm with a strong sense of natural style. A large caramel-colored velvet sofa wraps around the space, offering a relaxed and sculptural focal point that invites conversation or quiet retreat. The design favors earthy textures and muted tones, with warm wood flooring and a subtle gray wall finish that adds depth without distraction. A soft, curved rug defines the seating area, while a minimalist pale coffee table keeps the look light and open. Lush indoor plants echo the greenery visible through the full-height glass doors, creating a visual link to the garden just outside. The result is a living space that feels warm, grounded, and thoughtfully connected to its surroundings.
This living room blends comfort and calm with a strong sense of natural style. A large caramel-colored velvet sofa wraps around the space, offering a relaxed and sculptural focal point that invites conversation or quiet retreat. The design favors earthy textures and muted tones, with warm wood flooring and a subtle gray wall finish that adds depth without distraction. A soft, curved rug defines the seating area, while a minimalist pale coffee table keeps the look light and open. Lush indoor plants echo the greenery visible through the full-height glass doors, creating a visual link to the garden just outside. The result is a living space that feels warm, grounded, and thoughtfully connected to its surroundings.

The dining area benefits from the improved layout and larger windows, with views out to the garden that shift with the seasons. Positioned near the kitchen, it functions as a central gathering zone for everyday living and entertaining.

This dining area offers a peaceful blend of natural light, soft tones, and organic textures. A large picture window frames the lush green garden outside, turning the view into a living artwork that changes with the seasons. The oval wooden table features a sculptural base that adds quiet interest without overwhelming the space. Surrounding it, minimalist chairs in pale gray with dark cushions maintain the room’s calm, understated palette. A single open book rests on the table, adding a sense of lived-in warmth and quiet reflection. To the side, a potted indoor tree in a textured charcoal planter brings nature indoors and balances the strong vertical line of the window. Altogether, this space feels serene and grounded, ideal for both everyday meals and thoughtful moments.

The kitchen was reconfigured to improve its relationship to the rest of the house and to the outdoors. A new covered outdoor space extends directly from the kitchen, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor transition. Long and linear, the kitchen layout emphasizes clarity and function, with soft grey cabinetry running the length of the space and blending seamlessly into the pale tiled floor.

This kitchen combines streamlined design with a calm, inviting atmosphere. Long and linear, the layout emphasizes clarity and function, with soft grey cabinetry running the length of the space and blending seamlessly into the pale tiled floor. Natural light filters in through a wide window with timber blinds, casting gentle shadows across the quartz benchtop. Touches of greenery and a bowl of dark plums add organic contrast to the otherwise minimal palette. The integrated cooktop and under-mounted sink keep the benchtop visually uninterrupted, enhancing the kitchen’s sleek and uncluttered look. At the far end, a cozy breakfast bar introduces a note of warmth with its dark wood counter and simple bar stool. Overhead, a sculptural pendant light offers just enough character without disturbing the overall sense of balance and restraint.
This kitchen combines streamlined design with a calm, inviting atmosphere. Long and linear, the layout emphasizes clarity and function, with soft grey cabinetry running the length of the space and blending seamlessly into the pale tiled floor. Natural light filters in through a wide window with timber blinds, casting gentle shadows across the quartz benchtop. Touches of greenery and a bowl of dark plums add organic contrast to the otherwise minimal palette. The integrated cooktop and under-mounted sink keep the benchtop visually uninterrupted, enhancing the kitchen’s sleek and uncluttered look. At the far end, a cozy breakfast bar introduces a note of warmth with its dark wood counter and simple bar stool. Overhead, a sculptural pendant light offers just enough character without disturbing the overall sense of balance and restraint.

Tucked into a quiet corner of the kitchen, a custom built-in breakfast bar offers a moment of stillness and style. Its dark wood surface curves gently into the architecture, creating a sculptural yet functional nook for casual meals or morning coffee. Above, a brass-toned pendant light adds a soft glow and a touch of elegance, contrasting beautifully with the muted tones of the walls.

A quiet corner reimagined: this built-in kitchen breakfast bar combines sculptural elegance with everyday function. The dark wood surface, soft matte finishes, and minimalist pendant create a cozy nook that feels both modern and timeless.

Upstairs, a bedroom showcases the seamless connection between a modern bedroom and a refined en suite bathroom. The space is tied together by warm wood tones and clean, geometric lines, with the parquet flooring guiding the eye from the cozy bedside area into the bathroom.

A wall-mounted mustard yellow nightstand introduces a bold splash of color. Above it, a simple sconce and a vase of freshly picked flowers add a soft, personal touch. The overall effect is calm and considered, with each element carefully chosen to create a sense of quiet sophistication and everyday comfort.

This bedroom showcases the seamless connection between a modern bedroom and a refined en suite bathroom. The space is tied together by warm wood tones and clean, geometric lines, with the parquet flooring guiding the eye from the cozy bedside area into the bathroom. A wall-mounted mustard yellow nightstand introduces a bold splash of color. Above it, a simple sconce and a vase of freshly picked flowers add a soft, personal touch. The overall effect is calm and considered, with each element carefully chosen to create a sense of quiet sophistication and everyday comfort.

The ensuite bathroom pairs refined materiality with clean geometry. Vertical blue tiles form a subtle rhythm across the wall, grounding the space in texture and calm. A floating walnut vanity adds warmth beneath dual vessel sinks, while the mirror and minimalist fixtures contribute to the room’s quiet sophistication. Gentle natural light filters through blinds, softening the bold contrast of stone, wood, and ceramic.

This serene bathroom pairs refined materiality with clean geometry. Vertical blue tiles form a subtle rhythm across the wall, grounding the space in texture and calm. A floating walnut vanity adds warmth beneath dual vessel sinks, while the oversized mirror and minimalist fixtures contribute to the room’s quiet sophistication. Gentle natural light filters through blinds, softening the bold contrast of stone, wood, and ceramic.

For a closer look at the spatial changes, explore the floor plans below.

The architectural drawings of a renovated home.
The architectural drawings of a renovated home.

This renovated villa is a reminder that thoughtful design doesn’t start from scratch, it starts with respect. By preserving the soul of the original and layering in modern comfort, the home now feels both grounded and renewed, ready for decades to come.

Photographer: Tim van de Velde | Architect: Wenink Holtkamp Architecten | Interior design: Baas & Kleinbloesem | Constructor: Archimedes Bouwadvies | Contractor: Van Kaathoven Bouw | Installations: Van Gerven installaties | Facade builder: Flow gevelbekleding | Windowframes: AluK

Source: Contemporist