Context
Fort Fier stands on the island of Kraaiveld, in the floodplain of the Waal. The house draws inspiration from the Dutch defensive landscape surrounding it — a terrain shaped by bunkers, concrete structure sand engineered waterways. Its name carries a double meaning: fort, “strong,” and vier,“four,” the number that structures the house’s geometry, proportions and openings.

Architecture
The building rises on an elevated concrete plinth, a protective table that anticipates future flooding and allows the landscape to continue flowing beneath it. The house adopts the typology of a fortress but turns it inward: a square patio forms the calm centre, while a continuous circulation band unfolds around it. This creates a sheltered interior world that responds to changing light, wind and seasons. Every window follows a strict square geometry, yet each serves a different purpose. Deep openings create places to sit, small apertures recall defensive slits, and large frameless panes frame views of river and sky. Together, they choreograph a sequence of precise visual connections with the landscape.

Materiality
A heavy concrete base supports a lighter CLT structure, wrapped in dark vertical timber. The interior is intentionally restrained: exposed CLT surfaces, grey finishes and polished concrete floors create a quiet, almost monastic atmosphere. Ornament is avoided; the architecture relies on proportion, light and material honesty.

Landscape
Around the house, a network of ditches echoes historical moats while serving ecological functions: retaining water, supporting biodiversity and creating a microclimate. Under the raised volume, a shaded niche becomes an unexpected habitat for vegetation, insects and birds.

Atmosphere
Although inspired by fortifications, Fort Fier is not defensive in character. It is a quiet retreat, strong in form yet welcoming in presence — a contemporary reflection on resilience, landscape and simplicity.