Year: 2018 – 2020
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Surface: 100 m2
Client: Private
Architect: Kevin Veenhuizen Architects
Email: mail@kevinveenhuizen.com
Contact Person: ir. Kevin Veenhuizen
Phone: +31(0)6-22787349
Office:
Kevin Veenhuizen Architects
Kraijenhoffstraat 141A, 1018RG Amsterdam
Vierambachtsstraat 181, 3022AL Rotterdam
Contractor: J.C.Nieuwenhuizen
Furniture maker: Zoet Hout
Photos: MWA Hart Nibbrig
His loft is designed in the Top-Up building in Amsterdam-Noord.
The beautiful casco, built according to the โโopen buildingโโ idea, immediately called for a specific atmosphere. The simplicity of the available materials – concrete slabs and ceiling held together by massive timber columns – and the glazed facade brought up the strong spatial concept of the loft.
The design intends to blur boundaries between domestic functions and rather produce a feeling of continuity. This spatial concept is enforced by our humble material choice. Not more than two materials are added, barely touching the casco: a continuous smoked oak flooring and three boxes clad with Ash timber.
Of the physical envelope twenty-five percent needed to be dedicated to professional activities. All services such as electricity, heating, running water, and ventilation are delivered at the doorstep for the two areas. Combined with the use of a raised floor, it offered maximum flexibility to design the interior.
Three boxes, which can be seen as big pieces of furniture, house specific functions such as a bathroom, WC, storage, kitchen, and open shelves. Spaces flow in between, from an intimate sleeping zone to a comfortable living area or a generous professional work environment, all inserted in the space between the boxes.
The first box sits on excision on the floor that is filled with tiles and is an angular kitchen island merged with the circular shape of a dining table. The result is tailor-made furniture linking the cooking, eating, and living functions within the area dedicated mostly to day activities.
The second box is two-faced: one side presents itself to the living area with open shelves – a small library – and relevant appliances. On the other side are the bathroom and the WC, generating an intimate sleeping zone at its back. Yet no physical boundaries are created.
The third box defines the workspace and houses a closet, a storage room, a visitorโs toilet as well as a pantry and open shelves. Also designed to function as a fully autonomous guest room with shower and kitchenette, this space is marked by a wall, slicing the third box in its middle and topped with waffle-glass to remove visual barriers. A full-height pivoting door connects the living and work functions.
Responding to the simplicity of the casco, the boxes are carefully crafted. The scaled-up furniture are covered with a refined ash finish. Contrasting with this delicate appearance, the concrete ceiling is left rough, as delivered, with ventilation and electricity services visible, displaying their technical ballet.
His Loft was designed for an ambitious client, and led to a fluid, tailor-made home with qualities derive from simplicity.