Potato Shed
Three farm buildings forming an austere ensemble: a former farmhouse (listed building), a large horse stable, and a cowshed. They give insight into former farm life and can even be described as a ‘monument of poverty’. The Potato Eaters painting by Vincent van Gogh formed a leitmotif for the whole project.
Julius Taminiau: “To transform the farmhouse back into the main home of the family would have ruined all these nice characteristics. We therefore decided to convert the farmhouse into a modest guesthouse and to transform the cowshed into the main family house. It was completely rebuilt, apart from the foundation and a few walls, and heavily insulated to meet new building standards. The large former horse stable functions as a flexible space that can be used as an atelier and for cultural events.”
“On a hot sunny afternoon while visiting the site we drank tea in an old part of the timber cladded shed, which provided shadow and a nice breeze. We experienced an amazing play of light through the slim timber slats. This was our ‘eureka’ moment for the Potato Shed. Next to the quality of the light, the open cladding is also functional since fresh air can get through the cladding for ventilation while keeping animals (and people) outside.”