Mirck Architecture, in designing the new Dike House, makes use of the stunning views available, natural light, and wood. Mirck proposes to open up the living space to the north, breaking the volume of the house on the side opposite to the dike, facing the polder landscape. The external corner of the new fissure is fully glazed, bringing in a lot of natural light into the large open space and creating a sense of being part of the landscape
Dutch Dike House. A stunning glass fissure transforms the traditional structure
Dikes protect the Dutch countryside from flooding; atop one of these in Green Heart, a small Dike House was built in the 1950s, which later fell into disrepair and was sold. The new owners aim to renovate it through this project that splits its volume wide open, unveiling the view
At the corner dematerialized by the intervention, at the polder level, which is the area of drained land thanks to the dike, lies the entrance to the Dike House. Here, wooden stairs lead up to the large living space at the level of the dike. The stairs continue on to an intermediate space with a poetic view and finally lead to the attic where the main bedroom is located
A thatched roof covers the multi-level building, creating an effect that is both traditional and dynamic and features various openings. The wooden façade reflects the different internal spaces, alternating between horizontal and vertical planking. The house is constructed with larch beams and CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) structural panels; the roof, walls, and floors are also made of CLT
The large opening to the north introduced some stability challenges that were resolved by introducing a steel element, the "fissure beam": a frame characterized in blue that optimally ties together the wooden structure and underscores the architectural concept of the fissure
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