This beautiful villa with a spacious garden built in the original ‘Amsterdam School’ style is located on the edge of Zeelst. It was decided to convert the villa to a health care centre, however this proposal was considered to have posed a serious potential threat to this much admired listed monument. The smart solution: go underground. A wonderful result! There is no hint in the white reception building in the monumental garden of the practice areas secreted away below ground level. Only the pharmacy and staff areas are accommodated above ground level. A hall with a big façade and skylight catches the natural light to guide the visitors downwards. ‘Light catchers’ at unexpected intervals make any stay a real pleasure. A successful project which just keeps on surprising!

re-use, transformation, care, architecture, 2009