Patiovilla Leonidas is a sustainable house located in Rotterdam, Netherlands, designed in 2018 by Studio Aaan.

Description

In Rotterdam, a new neighbourhood is created on the former Hockey fields of Leonidas. It consists of detached houses and has a high sustainability ambition. The dwellings do not hide behind tall hedges and fences, but together form a colourful collection in a green urban setting.

The patio house embraces this ambition by positioning both the garden and the living quarters with large windows along the south side facing the street. Subsequently, the living spaces are arranged around a patio: a segment of the garden where privacy can be found as well as shelter for noise and wind.

Each room measures four by four meters square and together they from a spatial ensemble with views through the patio; the central room which, as a result, also becomes part of the interior.

To draw the sunlight into the heart of the house at the right time of day, one room on the first floor is an outdoor room. Here the shape of the roof comes down to its lowest point to optimize the daylight exposure to the patio. This makes for the specific shape of the house and results in a double curved green roof, supported by meandering joists.

The precise stacking and arrangement of the rooms forms a house with comfortable living areas, big window openings, generous spaces and intimate rooms.

Photography by Sebastian van Damme