Architecture Wednesday: 360 Villa

Y’all know we love our pets, and would do, and have done, just about anything for them, but even this might be too far for us.

A couple in the Netherlands asked the designers of their new house to build them a home that would let them watch their dogs play in the yard from any angle; and they meant it. And that explains why the designers came up with a completely circular home—dubbed the 360 Villa—with 360-degree views so they can watch their Alaskan Malamutes. The custom home’s exterior is wrapped in a glazing that acts like mirrored windowpanes to allow those inside to see out to the yard, all the way around the house and from any interior vantage point.

In total, the villa encompasses about 900 square feet; just one bedroom, a bathroom, and an open great room. it’s not terribly large but provides ample space for the couple and their two large dogs. The exterior of the house is surrounded by a gently sloping lawn to give the dogs a play space, but also to allow the house a higher vantage point in the yard …which, in turn, provides an uninterrupted view of the dogs from the inside of the house.

Of course, a house made with an entirely glass exterior and wraparound windows needs to find a creative way to preserve privacy, and the sloping lawn comes in handy again. The top of the slope actually meets the window on the street side of the home and gives those inside with a view to the yard without exposing the interiors to passersby.

Inside, the home is largely open concept; the central social space holds the kitchen, dining room, living room, and the sliding doors that lead to an open deck. This space takes up two-thirds of the home. The bedroom, while private, can be opened into the main living area for that extra  flow, or closed off for more privacy. When it’s all opened up wide, a large circular skylight above the central living room floods the entire home in cheerful, natural light.

It's great for the dogs and the dog owners, but I think I could be quite happy a small dog and three cats in a small round house with lots of windows.

As always, click to emBIGGERate ...

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