In June 2014 we were asked to devise a plan for the renovation of a historic farmhouse (1904) in the Friesian town of Woudsend. The client wanted to turn it into a vibrant meeting place, in which the handicrafts and food from the surrounding area play a central role. The milk and meat come from the Frisian cow, the flour from the mill in the village, the wood from the adjacent mill and you can catch your own eel and smoke it in the smokehouse down the road.

© Thomas Mayer

Architects: Piet Hein Eek

Location: 8551 Woudsend, The Netherlands

Architect In Charge: Iggie Dekkers

Area: 520.0 m2

Project Year: 2016

Photographs: Thomas Mayer
© Thomas Mayer

From the architect. In June 2014 we were asked to devise a plan for the renovation of a historic farmhouse (1904) in the Friesian town of Woudsend. The client wanted to turn it into a vibrant meeting place, in which the handicrafts and food from the surrounding area play a central role. The milk and meat come from the Frisian cow, the flour from the mill in the village, the wood from the adjacent mill and you can catch your own eel and smoke it in the smokehouse down the road.

© Thomas Mayer

In keeping with this wish for authenticity we wanted to emphasise the original qualities of the farm as much as pos...