While still studying architecture at Eindhoven University, Servie Boetzkes and Jeroen Helder landed a commission through “friends of friends” to build a home in a suburb of Arnhem.

“The clients asked for a ‘different-looking’ home,” says Helder. “They also asked for a loft-style interior.” To fulfill the first requirement, the architects opted for a perforated and expanded aluminum facade. Enticingly tactile, it attracts attention, while screening much of the interior from view.

Inside, a spacious, minimalistic interior fulfills the second request. It also contrasts with the more flamboyant exterior, giving the house a split personality. Outside, the facade is rendered even more unique thanks to a special metallic powder coating on the aluminum that changes color, from gray to blue, according to changing light conditions from the sun.

But isn’t overheating a problem? “No,” says Helder. “There’s a gap of ten centimeters between the aluminum and a waterproof foil layer beneath, which ventilates hot air away from the house.” He adds: “We had to do lots of research for this project—a facade like this hadn’t been done in the Netherlands before.”

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Facade Focus: Metal