Buitenplaats Koningsweg

Buitenplaats Koningsweg transforms a former German military base from the Second World War into a unique residential and cultural enclave within the forests of the Veluwe. Designed by MVRDV, landscape studio Buro Harro and developed by KondorWessels Projecten, the project carefully balances heritage, nature, and contemporary living.

The site originated as part of the military infrastructure surrounding Deelen airfield, where concrete bunkers were disguised as farmhouses to blend into the landscape. Over time, these structures became protected national monuments, forming the foundation for a masterplan that reveals rather than hides the complex history of the area.

The transformation follows a principle of hyper-legibility: historic buildings are preserved, later additions are clearly distinguished, and reconstructed volumes are expressed through new materials and details. Dark grey interventions mark contemporary adaptations, while light grey reconstructions reference lost structures. This architectural language creates a dialogue between past and present, allowing visitors and residents to intuitively understand the evolution of the site.

Landscape plays an equally important role. The Veluwe forest is drawn back across the former military grounds, replacing hard surfaces and fences with a natural environment where wildlife can move freely. Narrow paths and minimal interventions allow the buildings to exist as fragments within the landscape rather than dominating it.

As part of the final phase, MVRDV designed three sustainable residential buildings containing 21 homes. Inspired by the original site structures, the “townhouses in the forest” are carefully positioned within the existing landscape. Their grey slate façades and roofs identify them as contemporary reconstructions, while generous shared spaces and open outdoor areas strengthen the connection between residents and nature.

Sustainability is integrated through timber construction, recycled materials, high insulation values, and solar panels. The result is a development where living, working, recreation, and heritage preservation coexist. Buitenplaats Koningsweg demonstrates how architecture can transform a challenging historical legacy into a resilient and meaningful place for the future.