Lakeside Retreat - Grou, Netherlands

Nestled on a lakeside island in Grou, this thoughtfully redesigned holiday home pairs contemporary spaciousness with the timeless warmth of traditional timber architecture.

Project details

Architect Studio: Alynia Architecten

Project Architect: Pieter Schievink

Product: Vulcan Cladding - Vertical Grain (WB12 180x20 in mixed widths) in Protector Straw, Vulcan Cladding Vertical Grain (WB12 138x20 in mixed widths) in Protector Ebony

Photographer: Gerard van Beek Fotografie

Completion Date: 2025

Location: Grou, Netherlands

An island location on the banks of the Prinses Margriet Canal and Lake Pikmeer called for a tranquil holiday home design that balances contemporary-style openness with an understated style characteristic of the area.

The town of Grou is a haven for water sports, with enthusiasts inhabiting the island’s many timber holiday houses over the summer months to enjoy sailing and paddleboarding.

While the island’s original homes were constructed from wood for practical reasons – timber being easily transportable by boat – this aesthetic has become something of a tradition for local architecture.

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Following the lead of the island’s built history, architects Alynia Architecten have taken an existing 1970s masonry house and transformed it into a timber-clad design where views are paramount and the dynamic nature of modern living is accommodated.

In choosing timber cladding for the exterior, the architects combined Vulcan® Cladding Vertical Grain (WB12 180x20 in mixed widths) in Protector Straw with Vulcan Cladding Vertical Grain (WB12 138x20 in mixed widths) in Protector Ebony.

The result is a contemporary style Ebony gable outer that is colour-matched with zinc roofing that wraps overhead, with the Straw-finished timber providing a warm glow for the soffit. The new design makes use of the masonry walls of the existing home, which were insulated and re-clad.

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Additionally to the subdued, stylistically cohesive aesthetic of the timber, the choice to use Abodo® Vulcan came down to a quest for longevity, enabling the homeowners to enjoy their time off without being concerned about frequent maintenance tasks.

Given the lakeside climate at this location, the timber needed to stand up to changes in moisture level and exposure to weather, making this highly stable, thermally modified timber an apt choice.

Close connections to the water were paramount to the brief from the homeowners, with the previous home lacking lake views.

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The new design places bedrooms on the street-facing facade, while the living room and kitchen enjoy wide vistas across the water through extended windows and sliding doors. Decked, sheltered terraces allow for enjoyment of the lake at different times of the day.

Sitting adjacent to the island’s more traditional structures, the home’s gabled form does not look out of place; however, with its extended views and easy flow of movement between indoors and out, this contemporary design provides for a more laid‑back view on vacation life. In doing so, it offers its owners a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the ease of holiday living for years to come.