Major conversion of detached 1950s home into energy-efficient villa

When our clients moved into the home on the Veursestraatweg in Leidschendam in 2019, they knew immediately that they wanted to significantly remodel the home. Because although the location and plot met their needs, the house was too small for their family. The main focus of the remodel was to create more space on the first floor and create a full-fledged second floor. The home should also be as energy efficient as possible after the remodeling.

These wishes gave a lot of design freedom. The home has been completely redesigned, both inside and out. The existing bland roof was replaced with a steeper roof, adding two space bedrooms and a bathroom to the living program. A large addition was also installed on the first floor on both the side and rear. This creates a spacious but also playfully divided living floor on the first floor, where everyone can retreat to their own place.

The design of the house is characterized by a clear, white stucco main volume. This volume forms the base of the house. Gable stucco on insulation was applied to insulate the house from the outside. A large portal with zinc cladding marks the new entrance and houses an imposing stairwell.

The new addition has a natural stone cladding, which provides a nice contrast to the clean, white stucco. Aluminum window frames are used throughout the house.

The interior has also been completely revamped. The first floor is by far the largest and consists of different spaces, nooks and spheres. Thus, there is a play and work area, a sitting room for watching television, a dining room with fireplace and a sitting area overlooking the landscaped garden. At its heart is a large living kitchen with an island.

On the first and second floor, a total of four very spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms have been realized. Again, all spaces have their own atmosphere and special custom solutions. On the new attic floor, the choice was made to leave the wooden structure visible.

Sustainability was at the forefront of the renovation. Consequently, opportunities to make the home as energy efficient as possible were sought early in the design process. The home is insulated like a new construction and has a hybrid heat pump. On the roof of the garage are the solar panels. Underfloor heating was used on the first floor and low-temperature convectors on the upper floors.

Photography: Nicoline Rodenburg