Daydreaming in a nature reserve right on the North Sea....

In the expansive polder landscape of Cadzand, a project is emerging that seamlessly blends past and present. The architecture is unmistakably contemporary, with clean lines and large expanses of glass that draw in the light, yet the soul of the design is rooted in the tradition of the old Dutch long-gabled farmhouse. The characteristic volume, elongated shape, and thatched roof subtly reference the region's agricultural heritage, while the detailing and materials reflect a contemporary refinement.

The farmhouse sits naturally within the open landscape. The horizon is broad, the sky ever-changing. Here, the polder forms the basis of the design: no sharp boundary between culture and nature, but a gentle transition where architecture and surroundings reinforce each other. The adjacent nature reserve flows effortlessly into an organic garden designed around the house. Winding paths, rolling lawns, and individual planting areas create a natural connection with the surrounding landscape.

The planting is robust and honest. Grasses sway in the salty wind, shrubs with tough leaves defy the maritime climate, and flowering perennials add color without losing their natural character. Everything has been chosen for its resilience to salt and wind, making the garden not only aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable and in harmony with its surroundings. The whole has a raw and pure appearance, as if it has always been there.

The materials used reinforce this sense of unity. Natural materials—wood, lime plaster, concrete—flow from indoors to outdoors without any harsh transitions. A floor that begins in the interior continues onto the terrace; wooden slats on the facade find their counterpart in the custom-made interior. Indoors and outdoors blend seamlessly, working together and reinforcing each other. The thatched roof catches the light and changes with the seasons, just like the surrounding landscape.

This project in Cadzand is not an object in the landscape, but a part of it. A contemporary interpretation of the long-façade farm that honors tradition, embraces the power of the polder landscape, and merges architecture, garden, and nature into one harmonious whole.