Villa Ventura
Sint-Oedenrode

Designed by architect Rolf Reichardt of RHAW architecture in close collaboration with residents Marieke Jansen and Jaap Maas, the home is a celebration of raw materials: steel, concrete flooring, glass—and entirely clad in Platowood. The front of the house features rough Platowood Spruce, while the rear is clad in smooth Platowood Fraké window frames. This contrast in texture and tone emphasizes both privacy and openness.

Rolf Reichardt:

“We deliberately contrasted rough Platowood Spruce with finely sanded Platowood Fraké to avoid a polished look. I love rough-sawn wood—it adds a bold, rugged appearance. The Spruce boards are wider, while the more open rear façade uses finer cladding. Ventilation slots are integrated into this detailing, which requires more precision in the material.”

Pure and untreated materials

The goal was to keep the appearance of the materials used visible, both inside and outside. There are no additional finishes, trim work, plastering, painting, or flooring.

Marieke Jansen: “Together with the architect, we looked for the right materials. We wanted to use untreated wood and liked the idea that it would turn grey over time. We requested samples, and the architect had a piece of Platowood Spruce that had been in his garden for seven years. That gave us a clear picture of what to expect. The Platowood Spruce on the street side was left rough, meaning the wood was not planed. The lines from the tension straps are still visible. This is based on the Japanese philosophy of embracing ‘imperfection.’ The rough wood contrasts beautifully with the smooth Fraké used on the rear side.“

Architect Rolf Reichardt adds: “We chose a contrast between rough Platowood Spruce and smooth sanded Platowood Fraké, so it wouldn’t become too polished. I really like rough-sawn wood—it gives a bold, rugged look. The cladding boards are also wider here. On the side where the façade is more open, the cladding is finer. The ventilation slots are integrated into it, which also calls for slightly more refined wood.”

Frames as defining design elements

Marieke Jansen: “The interior is defined by the framework of Platowood Fraké. It brings a sense of calm to the home. Outside, the frame wood will discolor more or differently than inside. We find this very beautiful because it shows the pure, natural process of the material. A fun detail is that the frames could be made sharper and more angular because the frame wood doesn’t need to be lacquered. The frame profile is slightly deeper, and then a bit was cut away on all sides, making it appear less than half as thick. For example, glass was inserted here. The glass is glued to the front of the cross frame and aligns flush with the façade. In places with a window or door, it is recessed. This creates a beautiful sense of depth in the façade. We’re very happy with the final result—we think it’s stunning!”