That you don't always consciously choose a wooden house becomes clear when we visit Paul Vlaar (79) and Mariet van der Weiden (76) for coffee. The couple has been living in a Finch apartment on Koelmalaan in Alkmaar for two years now. Convinced they were not both immediately. Paul, a former architectural draftsman and project manager at an architectural firm, was immediately enthusiastic about the design and the warm look of the wood. 'Here it is no punishment to be on ceiling duty. You discover a new drawing every time," he says with a smile. Mariet had her reservations: "So many knots in sight ... I would never have chosen it beforehand. Nevertheless, she too has now become quite used to it, although the large bookcase has been given a prominent place against the wooden wall.
Comfortable and quiet
What they see as the biggest plus? The living comfort. The indoor temperature remains pleasant all year round, with good ventilation and remarkably good acoustics and sound insulation. 'Even when there were no curtains, it never sounded hollow in here,' says Mariet. 'And from the neighbors we hear nothing at all.' A striking observation, considering the many (also young) families they surround themselves with in the residential building. The generous amount of daylight in the house completes the living pleasure. The living room with an open kitchen has large windows facing south - perfect for doing puzzles, reading the newspaper and for cat Elm, who likes to nestle next to Paul on the couch.
Not chosen for sustainability, appreciated
Sustainability was not a decisive factor in choosing their home. But the fact that their apartment is largely biobased is a nice bonus for Paul and Mariet. They find it hard to imagine that building with wood could become the standard. 'If you see how much solid wood goes into such a building, surely that can't be applied on a massive scale?' wonders Paul aloud. At the same time, they appreciate the pleasant quality of life the material brings.
Room for improvement
There is still one practical wish: the indoor storage room could be a bit larger. But apart from that, they like living at Koelmalaan. This is basically our last place, followed by a nursing home if necessary," Mariet says soberly.
Enjoying the indoor garden together
What adds to their enjoyment of living is the social atmosphere and the shared courtyard garden. Paul actively helps in the garden maintenance, together with a group of residents with green fingers. 'It's so nice when people sit outside having drinks and the children play in the garden. We never get enough of that.'
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