Antwerp-based am design studio designed this beautiful house, the Mill 13, located close to the famous windmill of Retrenchment. The corn and hulling mill has been on this site since 1643 (the current mill was rebuilt in 1818 after it was blown over). The historical village of Retrenchment, situated in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands and next to the Belgian border, is part of an ancient fortification line.
Its former protecting walls are now a cultural-historical monument and nature reserve that is accessible through hiking trails. Am designs renovated the house with high focus on authenticity and pure lines. The main goal was to connect the architecture as much as possible with the surrounding nature and the ancient walls that are situated behind the house. The design was driven by the desire to increase the amount of natural light inside the house, in function to create a feeling of openness. The exterior design has been inspired by an enriching journey to Japan, with tranquility and balance as key aspects for the garden.