From the beginning the design of Baan Windmill revolves around ideas of boxes. The clean abstract geometrical form speaks to the young owner's taste for things modern. Yet it seems that a simple 'box' would hardly suffice to signify the savoir-faire of contemporary life. As a result, the architects had an idea of 'smart' boxes-ones that add striking twists to the otherwise omnipresent box forms. One salient characteristic of these smart boxes is that they appear to defy gravity in one way or another by means of transparency, tectonic articulation and structural challenge such as extra-cantilevered volumes and planes. The master bedroom, for example, appears to hover over the swimming pool. Beside these architectonic maneuvers, striking elements such as the floating staircase with its entwining folded planes or the 'glass bow' stairs to the 3rd floor bedrooms jutting out of a pristine solid plane lend the house exciting 'box' variations. In other words, they push the limits of an ordinary 'box' without losing order and simplicity. Moreover, while box-shaped buildings sacrifice sunshades and rain-sheltering elements in favor of a clean abstract from, the streamlined boxes at Baan Windmill are more climate savvy. The long eaves, sunshades and wood screens are an integral part of the formal language.
To make the most of its prime location on a scenic golf course, the house's floor plan is configured in an H-shape. This allows for a perfect balance between vista, privacy and natural ventilation. The result is an animated interplay of mass and space with semi-enclosing courtyards forming a uniquely welcoming entry way on one side and a covered terrace and a swimming pool on the other. Approaching the house from the main gate, one experiences a rhythmic succession of space. First is the entrance courtyard which lends the entrance experience a relaxing touch and whose configuration sets this house apart from other Architects 49 work. This courtyard is separated form the covered terrace by a transparent entrance hall. A free-standing wall delineates its far end while allowing space to spill over, creating a sense of curiosity and expectation. On the other side of the wall lies the pool courtyard, with its stately double-height covered terrace and, finally, the lake and golf course beyond. The visual sequence is enhanced by such architectonic detail as an infinity edge pool, linking the pool with the lake. The borrowed scenery of the golf course is achieved, at least partly, by the third floor rectangular mass that frames the open space above the bridge-like corridor.