The Invitation / Van Rooijen Architecten

Architects: Van Rooijen Architecten
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Architect In Charge: Van Rooijen Nourbakhsh Architecten
Interior Architect: Van Rooijen Nourbakhsh Architecten
Photographs: Cornbread Works

The urban history of Utrecht and its surroundings dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. Today the area west of the city of Utrecht is being transformed from a mainly rural area into a new quarter of the city.

Along one of the old routes with its variety of architectural typologies and close to a branche of the Rhine River this building, a practise for obstetricians, was build.

The main shape of the building with its pitched roof is simple and strong, archetypical and sculptural. The building is entirely constructed in wood. Surrounded by water one enters the building by crossing a small bridge.

The facades and roof are completely cladded with black stained wood. The interior, in contrast is white and clear.

The skylight, as a glazed incision in the wooden volume, abundantly supplies the interior with daylight that together with the sturdy wooden beams determines the atmosphere within.