This gallery features the striking, surprising Villa Kavel 01, a brand new creation by by Studioninedots.

Just outside Amsterdam, this mysterious black box, known as Villa Kavel 01, can be found. Designed and built by Studioninedots for a young family, this dynamic, bold structure offers panoramic views, intricately diffuse lighting, and a striking appearance throughout.

The home was designed in the shape of a diamond to take direct advantage of the unique plot of land on which it resides. With an orientation maximizing sunlight through large glass panels to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, the project emphasizes a distinct relationship with the small island it sits on.

Due to local height restrictions, the house is partially built underground. The hidden ground floor contains the guest room, bathroom, storage, study, children’s games room, and cinema. Along the South facade, the ground is carved into a gentle slope, granting natural lighting to this level. From this angle, the home appears to float.

The first floor feels, in contrast, more private. The bedrooms are veiled behind 33 shutters of perforated steel. Thanks to a matrix of perforations, dynamic shadow patterns are cast on the floors and walls while the shutters unfold like an accordion with the push of a button. Combined with the sliding glass facade doors, one can feel truly at peace with nature from the comfort of the bath or bedroom.

With its sharp angles and stark elevation changes, the building’s appearance shifts as one passes through. The wide open floor plan comes courtesy of the load-bearing concrete facade and central stair shaft. All cabinets, the fireplace, audio system, and television are concealed inside a series of freestanding custom furniture units, thoughtfully positioned to allow an open flow between spaces.

Limitless creativity abounds in this home, from modern materials to innovative design flourishes, resulting in one of the most interesting and inspiring projects we’ve yet featured.

All photos courtesy of Peter Cuypers.

Outside view of ultra modern home “Villa Kavel”.

View when approaching the home showing the only opaque panel as the main entrance, with the entire first floor encased in floor to ceiling glass. The perforated shutters are seen above.

Seen from its sharpest angle, we see the extensive natural light beaming through the first floor, while the shutters above are seen in the open position.

The central, structurally supporting stairway shaft stands out in black over a sea of white marble. Glass exterior provides views over the river from every angle.

The large open space allows seamless flow between areas of the home, and visual connection to sheltered patio. White floating staircase hugs central structural shaft at right.

Gap between the exterior perforated shutters and glass wall showcases the intricately diffused natural lighting.

View from top of the staircase on private residence floor. Main hallway is lit via skylighting overhead and diffuse shutters in distance.

Jumping back outdoors, we see the structure “floating” from this angle, with row of shutters running the length of the upper floor, and curved expanse of glass below.

Close view of the sheltered patio space, just outside the curved glass of the living room area. Twin wicker armchairs stand on minimalist concrete foundation.

This angle shows the transparent exterior at its most evocative: we can see right through the home, across the river from the opposite side.

Lower level cinema room features white sectional, bucket style chair and natural wood table over shag rug, with view up the sloping lawn to the right.

Main floor dining space holds this single piece natural wood table and nearly 360 degree views of the surrounding waterway.

The ultra modern and minimalist kitchen features this unique all-steel island with built-in range, with all cabinetry and countertop built into space on the left.

Bathroom on the upper floor stands behind another set of the perforated shutters, with dark wood vanity set between white pedestal tub and open shower space.

The “code” patterned shutters provide moments of striking dappled sunlight throughout the home, as seen in this view of the upper hallway and bedroom.

Stainless steel door handle is one of many accents throughout the home reflecting the strong construction methods.

Wide view of the central open living space, with single piece glossy natural wood dining table in foreground, and living room with extensive L-shaped white sectional sofa in distance.

From this view we see the central stair structure bisecting the living room and kitchen areas, with transparent glass allowing views right through the entire space.

The living room features not only the low-slung modern white sofa, but a pair of modern black chairs, reflecting the black-and-white contrast of the wider interior.

Rear exterior reveals hidden lighting tucked into the upper corners of the structure and embedded into the patio staircase. Second floor shutters create a digital “code” like pattern with light beaming through.

Finally, we fully showcase the sloped lawn leading to the lower level, tucked beneath the monolithic square structure of the home. Glass panels and openings throughout blur the line between interior and exterior.