House Riel Estate completed in 2014 is located in a new residential development in the small village Riel near the town of Tilburg. The property conforms with its archetypal main structure and materialization with the rural character of the village and the surrounding countryside; the main building with a gable roof, rural hand-molded bricks, and heavy oak doors.

In the province of Brabant, where the dwelling is situated, it is customary to enter through the back door. By separating the kitchen and living room from each other, a separation is also made between the formal entrance and the informal back door. Also, arise an afternoon and evening terrace.

The staircase is located in the intermediate zone between the kitchen and living room. It rises along the gentle slope of the roof and ensures a clear connection between the ground floor and upstairs. The presence of these stairs is further emphasized by the skylight above it folding over the roof which ensures light gliding down the stairs.

An asymmetric sculptural play of mass and openness is created by tilting the roof and also with the masonry giving the impression of heavy solid walls. The minimalist detailing of the house reinforces this and provides a powerful clarity.

Riel Estate winks with her outspoken styling to the pavilions in the German Insel Hombroich where
the house is inspired by.

Architecture by Joris Verhoeven Architectuur
Contractor — Bouwbedrijf Krijnen Riel
Photography by John van Groenedaal