In the Utrecht neighborhood of De Meern, many bungalows from the 1960s can be found. Architect Viktor van Hooff, together with contractor Marvin Keeldar, has designed and renovated several of them—including this sun-drenched home. The architect applies a clear and simple design language, where sleek white plasterwork is interspersed with large windows and untreated Platowood Fraké cladding.
Architect Viktor van Hooff:
”I was introduced to Platowood—specifically Fraké—by Marvin Keeldar. During the renovation of his own house on the same street, we used Platowood Fraké, and since then I have embraced Platowood myself. It was initially an aesthetic decision: Fraké has a subtle grain without knots. The durability of the wood is also a key factor, as is the fact that it’s low maintenance and doesn’t require finishing.”
All rooms are oriented toward the garden to maximize natural light. A long hallway connects the bedrooms, walk-in closet, and two bathrooms. The exterior wall of this corridor features large windows and Platowood Fraké cladding. The cladding is recessed slightly compared to the plastered walls, and the window frames are set even deeper into the façade. This creates visual depth and casts shadows across the various elements.
Thanks to the success of this renovation, three more bungalows on the same street have already been updated by Van Hooff and Keeldar. Their vision is also gaining traction beyond De Meern—with bungalows in Delft and Soest now in the planning phase. Naturally, these will also feature Platowood Fraké façade cladding.
