A former Nazi military base from the Second World War has been transformed into a unique residential and cultural enclave in the Netherlands, blending history, architecture, and nature. The project, Buitenplaats Koningsweg, located on the outskirts of Arnhem, has been completed by MVRDV, landscape studio Buro Harro, and developer KondorWessels Projecten. Nestled within the Veluwe forest, one of the country’s most important natural areas, the development brings life to a historic site while preserving its historical significance. The area has a dark past, as the spot was originally built on during the war as the Nazi base Kamp Koningsweg Noord and Zeven Provinciën. These facilities were part of the German Luftwaffe’s Fliegerhorst Deelen airfield, the largest German airfield in the Netherlands. Its military bunkers were ingeniously camouflaged to resemble farmhouses, allowing them to blend into the surrounding landscape and fool Allied bombers. This clever disguise helped protect the site from detection and remains an integral part of the site’s historical character. MVRDV and Buro Harro’s masterplan maintains a strong connection to this history. The original German brick buildings have been preserved, with modern interventions clearly marked by dark grey finishes on new doorways and dormer windows. Demolished structures have been rebuilt in light grey materials, maintaining their original shape and size, ensuring the new development respects the site’s past while embracing the future. “One of the most unusual aspects of Buitenplaats Koningsweg is that the buildings were designed from the start to hide their true nature,” explains Nathalie de Vries, founding partner at MVRDV. The distinct separation between old, new, and reconstructed elements helps visitors intuitively understand the site’s layered history. The transformation of the site, which took 16 years to complete, also includes a significant rewilding project. “We pulled the Veluwe landscape over the site like a blanket, much like the original camouflage of the barracks and airfield,” says Harro de Jong of Buro Harro. Minimal hard landscaping and the removal of fences allow the natural environment to thrive, with wildlife now roaming freely across the grounds. This blend of history and nature is what sets Buitenplaats Koningsweg apart from other residential developments in the Netherlands. The project includes 21 sustainable homes, with three almost-identical residential buildings designed by MVRDV. These structures reflect the shape and size of historical buildings on the site, while modern materials and energy-efficient features ensure they meet contemporary environmental standards. Solar panels, high insulation, and recycled materials make the central homes energy-neutral, while the surrounding buildings are close to achieving the same status. Additionally, the masterplan features 11 quirky architectural follies available for holiday rentals. These playful designs blend seamlessly into the forest, continuing the theme of camouflage and adding a sense of enchantment to the landscape. With small private gardens, shared communal spaces, and an intimate connection to the surrounding forest, Buitenplaats Koningsweg offers residents and visitors a unique opportunity to live, work, and relax in harmony with nature while being surrounded by Dutch history. Where: Arnhem, Netherlands When: 12 Sep 2024 Credit: Daria Scagliola/MVRDV//Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED SUPPLIER.**