At the beginning of the 20th century, Paterwoldsemeer was a busy recreational sports area for locals. During this time, pavilions were built along the lake shore where visitors could eat and drink while they enjoyed the view or watched regatta events. Eventually, however, local tourism waned as people could afford vacations to exotic destinations and many of the pavilions were abandoned. But the shores of Paterswoldsmeer are experiencing a comeback, and most notably with the addition of the thoroughly modern Paviljoen van de Dame.

The Paviljoen van de Dame was built on the site of an old pavilion that was in such disrepair it was demolished. But the setting and the site’s natural surroundings inspired the architects’ vision for a new transparent pavilion. The resulting design, covering 1,200 square meters, has a rectangular floor plan that consists of semi-detached modules stacked at different heights, the highest point being seven meters. 

The pavilion’s glass facades, fitted with metal canopies, offer expansive, 360 degree views. Guests can appreciate the water, the clouds and the changing light conditions while sitting indoors. The interior design was given a complete and unified concept by the architects. In particular, the bathrooms all have the clean, modern appearance of one brand: the Villeroy & Boch bathroom collections Subway 2.0 and Memento.

The link to nature remains central to the design of the pavilion outdoors as well. There is a terrace on the roof of the lowest module as well as an expansive wood and concrete terrace with a fireplace at ground level that has steps leading down the gentle slope to the water’s edge.