Forest Villa on the Edge of Duivenvoorde: A Modern Wooden Retreat in Voorschoten

Who wouldn’t want to step away from the nonstop pace of city life and find a quiet retreat among trees? Perched on the edge of a forest and nature reserve in Voorschoten, Netherlands, this modern Forest Villa offers exactly that: a serene, contemporary home wrapped in warm modified wood and oriented to embrace the surrounding greenery. Designed by Architect eigen huis and located adjacent to castle Duivenvoorde, the house is deliberately composed to make the forest the central focus of everyday life.

Exterior of the Forest Villa clad in modified wood, nestled against a lush forest — Beautiful and modern Forest Villa built using modified wood

The design intentionally blurs the line between inside and outside. A shaded porch runs along the forest-facing side of the house, offering a comfortable spot to enjoy sunrise and sunset. A pergola fitted with mobile slats allows the homeowners to adjust ventilation and shelter on the porch as needed, keeping rain and sun at bay while maintaining a direct connection to the landscape. Large floor-to-ceiling glass panes further invite the forest into the living spaces, creating panoramic views that change with the seasons.

Pergola with adjustable slats on the porch of the Forest Villa — Pergola with mobile slats that can keep out rain when required

Shaded porch of the Forest Villa offering direct views into the forest — View of the simple shaded porch of the Forest Villa

Inside, the kitchen is positioned as the social heart of the home. A long, dark central island anchors the space and is paired with a built-in wooden breakfast bench that creates a cozy dining nook. The composition of black surfaces and wood adds contrast while remaining understated, letting the forest views remain the principal focus. With expansive glazing and careful sightline planning, scenes from the forest become an ever-present backdrop to daily routines.

Kitchen with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering panoramic forest views — Large floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer panoramic views of the forest from the kitchen

Black kitchen island with wooden breakfast nook and adjacent dining area — Long kitchen island in black with a wooden breakfast nook and dining zone

The living room is west-oriented and sized for comfortable gatherings. A minimal sliding door divided into three sections can open automatically, allowing the living area to flow seamlessly onto the outdoor terrace. A large integrated sunscreen provides shade during the summer months.

Privacy is addressed through careful planning: bedrooms and private areas are tucked away from public view while communal spaces remain open to light and landscape. Interior details carry the exterior’s material palette indoors. Modified wooden slats reappear as a railing for the staircase and as subtle wall accents, reinforcing the timber character without overwhelming the light-filled spaces. Skylights on the upper levels introduce additional daylight and a sense of airiness.

Interior staircase with modified wooden slat railing echoing exterior cladding — Modified wooden slats used as railing for the staircase inside the house

Upper level with skylights bringing natural light into the Forest Villa — Upper level of the Forest Villa with skylights that bring in natural light

The floor plan arranges living spaces to maximize exposure to the forest while keeping the private zones discreet. Shared areas—kitchen, living room and terrace—face the greenery to foster a constant visual and physical relationship with nature. The result is a home that feels both contemporary and restful: refined interiors, tactile timber details, and expansive glazing that make the surrounding reserve an everyday companion.

Floor plan of the Forest Villa in Voorschoten showing the relationship between interior spaces and the forest — Floor plan of Forest Villa Voorschoten

Photography: Martijn Heil / De Architectuurguide. Project design: Architect eigen huis. Location: Voorschoten, Netherlands, on the edge of castle Duivenvoorde and an adjacent natural reserve.

Related: Cozy Minimal Retreat in Stone and Wood Engulfed in an Evergreen Forest — Tranquil Forest House With a Sustainable Modern Design in the UK (references to similar projects and design ideas)