Thermo-ash cladding gives tone and texture to Dutch forest house

January 11, 2022

Dezeen promotion: wooden cladding and decking brand Thermory’s thermo-ash cladding wraps the interior and exterior of a contemporary country home in the Netherlands designed by Maas Architecten.

Modern House by the River is a family residence located in a forest clearing on the edge of the river IJssel in Gelderland.

Maas Architecten chose to use Thermory‘s wooden cladding both inside and outside, to help the house fit into its woodland setting.

Thermory's thermo-ash cladding on facade of Modern House by the River by Maas Architecten — The house is made up of three single-storey volumes

The thermo-ash cladding gives a rich brown tone to walls and ceilings. It is contrasted by crisp white surfaces that help to create a balance of light and dark.

“The deep brown tone and texture of the timber cladding contrast beautifully against the white facade, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the lush green surroundings,” said Thermory.

Exterior terrace of Modern House by the River by Maas Architecten — Timbers of varying thickness give texture to the exterior walls

The house takes its cues from modernist architecture, and is made up of three flat-roofed, single-storey volumes.

To negotiate the slope of the landscape and allow room for a basement, one of these volumes is set slightly lower than the others, giving a more dynamic quality to the layout of the interior.

Thermory's thermo-ash cladding on interior of Modern House by the River by Maas Architecten — The ash surfaces continues inside the house

The largest of the volumes is rendered white while the other two are wrapped in the ash cladding, which features various thicknesses to give it a more textural quality.

This cladding is designed to provide a protective outer skin. Not only is ash a highly durable wood, it has been thermally treated to give it an extra layer of stability.

“Thermal modification enhances wood using heat and steam,” said the brand. “During the thermal modification process, the wood’s density decreases and its structure changes, which gives thermally modified wood products many advantages: increased dimensional stability, increased biological resistance, better heat and sound insulation, lighter weight, and moreover, it is a chemical-free process.”

Corridor of Modern House by the River by Maas Architecten — The house is organised over a split-level floor plan

For the interior, which was designed by Amsterdam-based design studio Grand&Johnson, it is the same two volumes that are lined with wood. The aim was to create a feeling of continuity between inside and out.

Clever joinery helps to give depth to the surfaces, many of which integrate doorways and storage spaces. There are also some slatted areas, which offer variety.

Kitchen and dining room of Modern House by the River by Maas Architecten — Shelving and storage are set into recesses within the wooden wall surfaces

The darkness of the wood is complemented by large pale-toned floor tiles, contemporary lighting fixtures and minimal glazing, which includes a 30-metre-long window wall facing the river.

“The tranquility and simplicity that the house exudes fits perfectly into its environment,” said the brand.