The 'Red Stair House' is an ecological dream home in the eco-neighborhood De Kiem in Arnhem. This striking residence is clad in Platowood Spruce, finished with a yellow oil-based stain.
Jasper Jobse, client and designer of the Red Stair House:
“We chose Platowood because it’s a local product from Arnhem and doesn’t come from tropical rainforests. It’s also sustainable wood that works well with natural, water-based oil stains. We personally treated almost a kilometre of Platowood. We love the knots and grain in the wood, and the coloured oil helps retain its warm appearance over time.”
An ecological dream home
Clients Jasper and Janneke set out to realise their ecological dream. Jasper designed the house himself, and together with buroBois architects from Arnhem, they created a nearly energy-neutral home.
The design is inspired by the shape of a barn. The front and rear façades are slightly recessed, allowing the roof to extend over them. These façades are finished with dark sheeting overlaid with 66 mm wide Platowood Spruce boards spaced 8 mm apart. On the front, the boards are placed vertically; on the rear, they are installed in two diagonal sections at 45 degrees. The front door is also made of Platowood Spruce and blends seamlessly into the façade. The yellow stain gives the otherwise dark home a friendly and cheerful look.
The south-facing front façade features two wide bands of floor-to-roof windows that make optimal use of solar warmth. Horizontal Platowood Spruce louvres, also stained yellow, prevent direct sunlight from entering during the hottest summer months.