Architecture: Bureau Fraai
Status: Completed 2020
Client: Private
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Contractor: Michel Pronk Bouw
Interior builder: Pronklust
Photographer: Studio de Nooyer

This is a close look at the house's garage with a glass wall and a car inside.

This is a nighttime view of the garage that has a warm yellow from its interior lights escaping through the glass wall.

This is a view of the garage adorned with a grass lawn and a concrete walkway lined with shrubs on the side.

This is a nighttime view of the garage showcasing the warm glow of the interior that escapes through the glass wall.

This is a close look at the upper floors of the front of the house with a modern design to its white and dark gray façade.

This is an interior view of the top level of the house with a low shed beamed ceiling.

This is the other side of the top level with built-in bookshelves and a reading nook under the window.

The built-in wooden structure of the bookshelves blend well with the exposed beams of the low shed ceiling.

This is a view of the top floor interior from the vantage of the wooden deck balcony.

This is a nighttime view of the house showcasing the warm glow of the glass window that pairs well with the dark gray exterior.

This is a full view of the house during nighttime to showcase the warm glow of the windows and the doors of the ground level.

This is an illustration of the house's diagram and concept of the construction.

As proud owners of two Jaguar models the clients asked Amsterdam based architecture office Bureau Fraai to design a garage to safely store them, preferably showcasing their favourite model so that they could enjoy this beauty to the fullest. The architects came up with the concept of a private showroom in their backyard visible from the main house.

The showroom is designed as a distinct black volume in which the two Jaguars are stacked using an automatic car lift. The large steel plate framed window frames the client’s favourite model as if it were a painting; a ‘painting’ to be enjoyed from within their own living room

. The characteristic design of the showroom is enhanced by integrating a custom designed grill with Jaguar logo referring to classical models from the car brand’s history.

Besides the showroom Bureau Fraai also designed a matching black roof extension connecting to the two different roof heights of the neighbours. Here two big steel plate framed windows frame the interior of this top floor living and working area creating an Edward Hopper like appearance from the outside.

Both window frames also serve a second purpose. The front one extends into the interior as a desk while framing the view to the neighbourhood. The rear one facing the roof terrace and garden evolves into a bench where one can relax and enjoy the sky.

In contrast with the black shell the interior has a warm and light character. Both the ceiling and the connected built-in wall cabinet are built up from wood with clear matching partitioning and refined detailing.