Unknown Architects buries timber holiday cabin in Terschelling dunes
Unknown Architects, based in Amsterdam, has finalized the House on a Dune, a 180-square-metre vacation retreat situated on the Dutch island of Terschelling. This single-storey gabled design, located in Midsland aan Zee, takes inspiration from 1960s holiday homes while incorporating a modern mix of pale brick and cross-laminated timber (CLT). The excavation of a basement for bedrooms allows the ground floor to feature an open-plan layout, including living, kitchen, and dining areas beneath sloping CLT ceilings adorned with skylights. Interior elements include exposed timber, concrete floors, and vibrant red-stained plywood kitchen units. Founding partner Keimpke Zigterman emphasized the design's intent to harmonize with its surroundings. This marks the studio's second holiday residence on the island, following the completion of House in the Dunes in 2022. Photography by Max Hart Nibbrig captures the project.
Key facts
- Unknown Architects completed House on a Dune, a holiday cabin on Terschelling, Netherlands.
- The cabin is 180 square metres and located in Midsland an Zee.
- The design references 1960s gabled cabins but uses pale brick and cross-laminated timber.
- A basement level was excavated for bedrooms; ground floor is open-plan with living, kitchen, dining.
- Interior features exposed CLT ceilings, concrete floors, and red-stained plywood kitchen units.
- Window heights are tailored to activities: high in kitchen, lower in dining, lowest in sitting room.
- Large sliding doors open to the outside, sheltered by deep eaves.
- This is Unknown Architects' second holiday home on Terschelling, after House in the Dunes (2022).
Entities
Artists
- Keimpke Zigterman
- Max Hart Nibbrig
Institutions
- Unknown Architects
- Dezeen
- Marc Koehler Architects
- RX Architects
Locations
- Terschelling
- Netherlands
- Midsland an Zee
- Amsterdam
- East Sussex
Sources
- Dezeen —