We were squatting on a farm in the Noordoostpolder when we heard that an entire neighborhood of earth houses was going to be built in Olst. It sounded so unique that we signed up right away. Our son was just 1 at the time. I thought, “I’m a cook and an artist, and I’m pretty handy, so building a house myself with a group of others—that sounds amazing to me!”
I’ve been living here for 14 years now, and I never would have dreamed how wonderful it is to live here. A house made of natural materials, which I built with my own two hands and a lot of help. A neighborhood with a very diverse group of people, where you can socialize if you want to, but nothing is mandatory.
And what I love most of all is the direct connection to nature. When I look outside, I see greenery, colorful flowers, birds, and the sky. And when I walk through the neighborhood, I come across edible greens everywhere. As a cooking enthusiast, that inspires me immensely. I’m always discovering something new to harvest and to experiment with to my heart’s content in my large island kitchen (my whole house is basically a kitchen).
Living Room Restaurant
Since I also cook for groups, many people get to enjoy what grows and flourishes here. My home is available as a living-room restaurant, where guests can sit at my dining table and experience what it’s like to live in an earth house. Meanwhile, I talk to my heart’s content about building, communal living, and the local food I harvest here or buy from the nearest organic farm.
Would you like to come and enjoy lunch, a non-alcoholic drink with homemade kombucha, or a 5-course dinner at my lovely Aardehuis? Visit www.detafelvankostelijk.nl.
I also lead foraging walks and cooking workshops, either at home or at the Middenhuis, where I can also provide catering for up to 40 people.
I'm happy here and feel proud to be part of the Aardehuizen.
