Making a 17th-century nationally listed thatched farmhouse more sustainable: few people have dared to take on that challenge or have succeeded. Nynke's Pleats will become an exemplary sustainable place, in balance with the natural environment, where you can stay pleasantly all year round, without affecting the monumental values.
The new heating is a low temperature heating. Two heat pumps with a total capacity of 34 kW, which use ten wells from 80 to 128 meters deep as a source, replace the various gas boilers in the building. Because as much as possible is insulated, good ventilation is necessary. All rooms will be equipped with an air heat recovery system and the ground floor will have underfloor heating.
In the restoration and repurposing of the Pleats, as much use as possible was made of materials that are already present, or that come from the surrounding area, with the aim of minimizing waste or generating emissions. The local aspect is also taken into account when choosing professionals, to ensure that CO2 emissions from transport remain limited. This simultaneously stimulates the local economy. In addition, an electric charging station for cars has now been realized to encourage workers and visitors to drive electrically.
The area around the farm is being redeveloped. There will be a semi-public terp meadow with native wild flowers and shrubs to promote biodiversity. Due to its location next to a Nature 2000 bird area, it is particularly important to pay attention to promoting insect populations.
Every autumn, hundreds of thousands of geese fly over Piaam to the south. They spend the night on the fields around the terp village. It's a beautiful sight. The nature areas outside the dikes in the IJsselmeer just across the dike at Piaam are also a well-known place for bird watchers. In addition, the village houses a small bird museum that has unfortunately been (temporarily) closed since 2019. Check the museum's website for the latest information.
Nynke's Pleats is located in the protected demarcation area of two 17th-century duck decoys: one privately owned and the Buismanskoai next to it. These duck decoys used to be the domain of the decoy, who caught ducks here to sell as a delicacy. The Buismanskoai is maintained by It Fryske Gea and can be visited with a guide.
Just across the dike at Piaam is the Ral bird hide, named after the water bird. The bird hide offers a view of the reed marsh, the IJsselmeer and the shallow water of the Piaamergeul, often with water birds such as gadwall, mute swan, cygnet, shelduck, shoveler, gray heron and water rail. Since the great egret breeds on the Makkumer Noordwaard, up to eighty egrets sometimes sleep in front of the hut. Spoonbills can also be seen regularly, as well as various types of waders and even giant terns at low water levels. Furthermore, the reed warbler, chiffchaff, golden plover, and all kinds of other types of birds.