What if we look differently at vacant farmhouses in the Frisian landscape? What if they could once again become a beating heart of their surroundings – sustainable, circular, rooted in nature, heritage and community? That idea lies at the core of the pilot project ’t Kathûs: a design exploration for the future use of a unique place in the peatlands of Fryslân.
’t Kathûs is an authentic farmhouse, surrounded by 40 hectares of grassland and ditches, once part of the Monastery of Nes. The untouched, centuries-old plots – a blend of peat and clay – remain free from land consolidation and connect directly to the nearby meadow bird habitat Soarremoarre (home to godwits, lapwings, redshanks and many other species).
It Fryske Gea approached the Veenweide Atelier to develop a plan for rezoning, renovation and long-term care of ’t Kathûs. In September 2024, a public call was launched in the province to reimagine the future of the site and its surrounding grounds. An open process followed, inviting ideas from the Akkrum community, local farmers and other stakeholders. Out of 21 submissions, the Veenweide Atelier, in collaboration with OOZE Architects and It Fryske Gea, selected a shortlist that formed the foundation for three spatial design scenarios, created by OOZE Architects under the artistic direction of Henriëtte Waal.
It Fryske Gea is open to different roles for ’t Kathûs: as a working farm, a public meeting point for peat meadow transition, or a place of encounter between people and landscape. A physical Veenweide Atelier – a workshop for landscape, ecology and society – is also among the possibilities.
This pilot moves toward an integrated vision of living, working and caring in the peatland: CO₂-neutral construction, smart use of material flows, biobased and circular building methods that preserve the beauty of farm heritage – while making space for community. The lessons from this design pilot contribute to the development of a holistic transition model for the broader peat meadow region.
’t Kathûs shows how heritage and innovation can go hand in hand to build a sustainable future for Fryslân.
Partners
It Fryske Gea, Gemeente Heerenveen, gebiedscoöperatie It Lege Midden, Boerderij De Nije Pleats (Jitze Peenstra), Jan Peenstra, Broer Voolstra, planindieners uit de mienskip, OOZE Architects, Henriëtte Waal en verschillende biobased bouwpartners.