Architecture as a Dialogue Between Nature and Urban Living

Villa Cascade is a compact multi-family residence composed of four equally sized blocks arranged around a shared courtyard. The overall structure is defined by a cascading stack of 29 apartments. The tallest section, with five stories, faces south toward Almere, while the lowest section opens northward to the water. Spacious garden terraces accompany the apartments ranging from 75 to 125 square meters. The cascading form ensures that the water remains sunlit throughout the day, never cast in shadow by the building.

Accessible only to residents, the courtyard serves as the central entry point via open staircases and a vertical lift tower. It’s a private, tranquil space designed to evoke urban vibrancy—a place for daily encounters and social interaction. Warm materials and natural elements enhance this atmosphere: the courtyard façades and lift tower are clad entirely in wood.

In contrast to the warm interior, the exterior of the building is clad in vivid red brick made from Groninger clay—a distinctive Dutch material. Its textured surface creates a soft yet intense colour effect. The horizontal arrangement of the bricks emphasizes the layered structure of the floors. Only the gateway entrance to the courtyard stands out visually, with a subtly different material finish: here, the red brick has a smooth surface. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed in dark grey come in two widths, creating a subtle rhythm reminiscent of a barcode.

Set against the complementary green landscape, the red villa makes a bold statement from afar. Its terraced form appears to emerge organically from the terrain.