In a bold and thoughtful blend of history, architecture, nature, and culture, MVRDV, in collaboration with Buro Harro and KondorWessels Projecten, has transformed a former German WWII military base into a unique residential and cultural community. Buitenplaats Koningsweg, located on the outskirts of Arnhem in the Veluwe forest, reimagines the remnants of a military past into a contemporary living and working space, all while preserving the site’s historical essence.
Buitenplaats Koningsweg Technical Information
- Architects1-13: MVRDV, Buro Harro, KondorWessels Projecten
- Location: Koningsweg 23A, 6816 TD Arnhem, Netherlands
- Site Area: 14.5 ha
- Project Year: 2010 – 2024
- Photographs: © Daria Scagliola, © Jannes Linders
An unusual aspect of Buitenplaats Koningsweg is that the buildings that were designed, from the very start, to disguise their true nature. How could modern interventions help to draw attention to their history, while preserving the integrity of that disguise? Our answer was to make changes hyper-legible. The clear delineation between the old, new, and reconstructed elements, along with unexpected details such as the metre-thick bunker walls of the historic buildings, help people to intuitively interpret the site’s story.
– Nathalie de Vries, MVRDV founding partner
Buitenplaats Koningsweg Photographs
Historical Transformation and Masterplan Vision
Buitenplaats Koningsweg was once a key military base, comprising Kamp Koningsweg Noord and Zeven Provinciën, both constructed to support the Deelen airfield, the largest German airfield in the Netherlands during World War II. Designed to be hidden from view, the military bunkers were cleverly disguised as farmhouses, blending into the forested surroundings. Over time, the site experienced several changes and, in the latter half of the 20th century, was designated as a national monument.
MVRDV and Buro Harro approached the masterplan with great respect for this historical narrative. The original German constructions were preserved, while later Dutch-built structures were transformed, marking the alterations with dark grey finishes to distinguish between old and new elements. Demolished buildings were reconstructed using light grey materials, maintaining the original scale and form but emphasizing modern techniques. This careful delineation between historical preservation and modern intervention allows visitors and residents to intuitively interpret the site’s layered past.
Nature and Landscape Integration
A key element of the Buitenplaats Koningsweg project was reestablishing the natural connection between the site and the surrounding Veluwe forest. The landscape design, led by Buro Harro, embraced a rewilding philosophy, pulling the natural environment back into the site. Minimal hard landscaping and narrow footpaths allow nature to thrive in between the built elements, while fences that once enclosed the area have been removed, encouraging wildlife to roam freely.
This reintegration of nature blurs the boundaries between the residential and cultural enclave and the Veluwe’s protected natural landscape, one of the largest Natura 2000 areas in the Netherlands. The site now feels as though it has always been part of this serene natural environment, offering residents a unique opportunity to live, work, and relax within a setting that is in harmony with the land.
Sustainable Architecture and Residential Design
At the heart of the development are three residential buildings designed by MVRDV, each comprising seven terraced homes. These homes, referred to as “townhouses in the forest,” follow the location, shape, and size of the original structures that once stood on the site. Their grey slate walls and roofs differentiate them as reconstructions, but the attention to detail ensures they sit harmoniously within their historic context.
Sustainability was a central focus in the design of these residences. The homes are constructed using timber frames, with concrete mixes that incorporate recycled aggregate, while the floating decks are made from recycled plastic. Solar panels and high insulation values enable the 15 homes in the middle of each block to operate energy-neutrally, with the remaining six homes close to energy neutrality. Car parking spaces, discreetly tucked beneath the buildings, are designed with future electric car charging in mind, encouraging sustainable transit options.
Residents are given the freedom to choose from a variety of floor plans, allowing for a personalized living experience. Raised above ground level, the homes feature outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the forest, eschewing private gardens for large shared areas that foster community interaction. This design choice strengthens the connection between the built environment and nature, offering an intimate, immersive experience with the surrounding landscape.
Cultural and Creative Enclave
Beyond its residential component, Buitenplaats Koningsweg is a cultural and creative hub. A series of 11 unique follies, designed for holiday rentals, are scattered throughout the northern part of the site, nestled within the forest. These structures, selected through a design competition, play with the theme of disguise, echoing the site’s historical camouflage techniques. Their quirky, playful designs add an unexpected and imaginative element to the overall project.
The transformation of this former military base into a thriving residential and cultural enclave was not without its challenges. However, the project developers, including KondorWessels Projecten, remained committed to their vision of creating a space that allows people to live, work, and relax in an environment that celebrates both history and nature. The result is a unique development that seamlessly integrates the past with the future, offering residents and visitors a serene and sustainable living experience.
Buitenplaats Koningsweg Plans
Buitenplaats Koningsweg Image Gallery
About MVRDV
MVRDV is a globally renowned architecture and urban design firm based in Rotterdam, founded in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, and Nathalie de Vries. Known for their innovative, sustainable, and often experimental designs, MVRDV’s work spans a wide range of typologies, from urban planning and public buildings to residential projects and cultural spaces. The firm’s approach emphasizes bold concepts that engage with social, environmental, and historical contexts, creating iconic structures that challenge conventional architectural thinking.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Client: KWP Gebiedsontwikkelaars
- Size and Programme: 14.5 ha, regeneration masterplan including 40 historic buildings, 7 new homes, 10 follies, various structures and landscape elements
- Founding Partner in charge: Nathalie de Vries
- Design Team: Renske van der Stoep, Emilie Koch, Pepijn Bakker, Klaas Hofman, Rosa Rogina, Emanuela Gioffreda, Andres Beausire Strategy and Development: Willeke Vester
- Landscape architect: Buro Harro Follies: Architectuur Maken, De Kort Van Schaik, Hans Jungerius, JCR Architecten, Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten, Kraft Architecten, opZoom architecten, Paes Architecture, Space Encounters, studio AAAN, i29, NAMO Architecture
- KKN 7 (architect): Kraft Architecten
Housing KKN 1,2,3 Credits - Year: 2018-2024
- Size and Programme: 4 932 m2, three residential buildings
- Partner: Fokke Moerel
- Design Team: Arjen Ketting, Rico van der Gevel, Michal Bala, Karolina Szostkiewicz, Duong Vu Hong, André Bahremand, Floris Dreesmann, Türker Naci Saylan, Luis Druschke Visualisations: MVRDV (Angelo La Delfa, Antonio Coco), triple-d
- Strategy and Development: Bart Dankers, Willeke Vester
- Landscape architect: Buro Harro Contractor: Ufkes Structural engineer, MEP, building physics: Aveco de Bondt
- Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
