Marhûs, a timber dwelling designed by Lichtstad Architecten, is shaped by a deep engagement with craftsmanship and its surrounding landscape on the Frisian Lakes in the Netherlands. Named after the Frisian words “Mar” (lake) and “hûs” (house), the project reflects a strong connection to its waterside context, grounding the architecture in place and local identity.
Positioned along the shore of a lake and flanked by two small harbors, the project features a mature garden, a reed-fringed quay, and an extended jetty. It offers expansive panoramic views of the water.
Anchored in the landscape
Approached from the street and facing the lake, Marhûs presents a modest, carefully scaled profile that fits seamlessly within the village context. Its design is shaped by a sensitivity to the landscape in all its seasonal variations, emphasizing both openness and shelter, intimacy and expansiveness, stillness and movement.
The floor plan is composed of five slender, elongated volumes, each with a unique spatial character and orientation. Their varied lengths, fluid rooflines, and finely articulated façades create layered, ever-changing perspectives—from within the house and in the reflections they cast. This architectural composition acts as a spatial lens, continually revealing shifting views of the surrounding environment and guiding a quiet choreography of encounter and retreat.
From the entrance, a framed view leads intuitively toward the center of the home, where a kitchen-living space anchors the plan. This vibrant core opens to sweeping views over the garden, harbor, and lake, and connects to an elevated living room, a covered terrace at the water’s edge, a fitness area, and guest quarters—each space designed to extend the experience of the landscape.
Craft and construction
Rooted in the tradition of wooden shipbuilding, the project reflects this influence both in construction and form. Crafted with precise timber joinery, the building showcases artisanal skill, while its curved rooflines—reminiscent of a ship’s hull—bring a sense of fluidity to the sculpted ends.
Built entirely from cross-laminated timber (CLT), the structure combines strength with the warmth and tactility of natural wood. The sweeping roofs unify form and function, creating a space where architecture, craftsmanship, and the surrounding landscape come together in quiet, cohesive harmony.
Sustainability and circularity
The dwelling is energy-neutral and built entirely from biobased and circular materials. Solar panels are discreetly positioned on the higher flat roofs, hidden from view yet oriented for maximum efficiency. A ground-source heat pump provides both heating and cooling, supported by cellulose insulation that ensures a breathable, comfortable indoor environment.
Facades and roofs are clad in untreated timber and zinc—materials chosen for their durability and natural aging, allowing the building to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Narrow openings in the timber façades filter light into the interiors, creating subtle shifts of light and shadow throughout the day. A green roof enhances biodiversity, improves water retention, and supports thermal regulation.
Designed with longevity and adaptability in mind, the five-volume layout accommodates various future uses, from live/work arrangements to guest or care facilities. The CLT structure uses reversible joints to allow for timber panel reuse, while demountable cladding and roofing systems preserve material value for future building cycles.
The interior and exterior as a whole
At Marhûs, architecture and interior design are conceived as an integrated whole. A restrained palette of materials, careful use of light, and rhythmic spatial sequencing establish a calm, timeless atmosphere. The layout is both clear and functional, with curated materials reinforcing the balance between nature, architecture, and craftsmanship.
The curved rooflines help define different zones within the home, while gently curved interior walls guide movement and introduce moments of openness or separation—offering framed views, alcoves, or subtle thresholds. This creates an organic, responsive architecture in dialogue with its surroundings, enriching the living experience.
The landscape extends this continuity, merging into the Frisian lakeshore with native grasses and plants. A jetty connects the house directly to the water, while garden spaces are articulated through use and orientation: a flower and kitchen garden sits near the east-facing breakfast terrace, a shaded retreat borders the master bedroom, and sculptural planting beds add playful structure. Toward the street, the garden respects the village scale, grounding the home in its context.
