Villa Veth: Contemporary Family Residence near Hattem, Netherlands

Nestled just outside the town of Hattem in the eastern Netherlands, Villa Veth is a contemporary private residence thoughtfully designed for family living. Set at the edge of a forest, the two-storey home takes full advantage of its natural surroundings, offering a tranquil setting and a striking approach that mixes manicured lawn, grey paving and smoothed gravel to create an elegant arrival experience.

Designed by Liong Lie of Rotterdam-based studio 123DV, the architecture balances classic proportions with contemporary detailing. The result is a residence that reads as timeless yet unmistakably modern—materials are used with restraint and clarity, and thoughtful spatial planning gives each area a distinct function while allowing visual and physical connections between spaces.

The ground floor is efficiently organized into two main zones. One side houses private quarters: a master bedroom, two children’s bedrooms and two small studio spaces. These rooms are grouped to create a comfortable family wing with easy access to bathrooms and storage. The opposite half of the ground floor opens up into a generous, open-plan living area that includes the kitchen, dining space and living room. This zoning keeps entertaining and daily life unified while keeping sleeping areas sheltered and private.

Construction relies on a pared-back palette of durable, honest materials: tile, concrete, steel and glass. These materials bring texture, structural clarity and low-maintenance performance to the home. One standout feature is a frameless, curved glass wall in the main living area that provides unobstructed views to the outside and floods the interior with daylight. The living space flows to a broad outdoor platform—part of which is fitted with underfloor heating—extending the usable living area into the garden and creating a seamless indoor-outdoor relationship.

The first floor provides additional functional space for everyday life: an entertainment room, a laundry area and a compact powder room. These upper-level amenities support family routines without encroaching on the primary living zones below. Altogether, the house totals approximately 475 square meters, with a layout and material strategy aimed at maximizing usable space while maintaining a refined aesthetic.

Villa Veth demonstrates how thoughtful design can create a warm, functional family home without sacrificing contemporary style. The planned separation between private and social areas, the careful selection of robust materials, and the clear dialogue between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape combine to form a residence that feels both luxurious and livable.

Whether you are interested in contemporary architecture, family home planning, or landscape integration, Villa Veth offers useful lessons in scale, materiality and the benefits of an open-plan approach. The residence showcases how a project can respect traditional cues while embracing modern construction techniques and an uncluttered aesthetic.

Villa Veth was created by architect Liong Lie at 123DV in Rotterdam and is an excellent example of contemporary residential design in the Netherlands. The project is particularly suitable for a family of four, offering a clear division between private and communal spaces, efficient circulation and generous connections to the outdoors. Originally featured by design publications, this home continues to serve as an instructive example of modern, family-focused architecture.