Amsterdam Home, Dutch Residences Photos, Netherlands Flat Design, Architect

Contemporary Apartment Renovation in Amsterdam

Dutch Residential building design by DENOLDERVLEUGELS

16 Apr 2014

Contemporary Apartment

Wooden Houses, Wenslauer Street

Design: DENOLDERVLEUGELS

In January 2014 In January 2014 DENOLDERVLEUGELS finished the renovation of an exclusive 300 sqm apartment in the ‘Amsterdam-Zuid’ area for a Dutch family. The apartment occupies the top 3 levels of a building complex built in 1925.

The family, born in the Netherlands, wanted to buy an apartment and settle down in Amsterdam after living abroad for many years in Copenhagen, Brussels, Madrid, San-Francisco and Rome. Together with DENOLDERVLEUGELS the family searched for an apartment suiting their open and modern family life.

Eventually a 2 level apartment in very basic conditions suited best because of the possibility to strip the entire apartment to a situation where only the basic structure remained. The narrow and closed structure of the existing building is transformed into a transparent and open setting where the (visual) relationship between different rooms and levels has been the basis for the design.

The attic of this building, which was built in 1925, was used for the hiding of people during the second world war. After the war the attic remained unused. In the new situation the attic is fully incorporated in the functioning of the apartment. It is a beautiful living space connected to the lower levels by a grand vide which also houses a grand staircase.

The authentic wooden roofing structure was kept intact as well as an old masonry wall to keep the connection to the history of the building. At the level of the attic a large roof terrace was added. At the terrace the view across Amsterdam is magnificent. The view takes you over the rooftops to the Olympic Stadium, the ‘Rijksmuseum’ and the theatre Carré. At the terrace you also have a view through the wide to the lower levels and the entrance hall. This is also an example of the basic design feature of connecting all spaces and levels.

The modern and dynamic family had a specific need for social interaction within the apartment but with enough possibilities to retreat within their own private quarters. The open plan is organized in main functions that remain a strong social relationship but are separated through large glass & steel separation walls with glass & steel doors. The kitchen is the social centre of apartment. It offers a view to all important spaces and the wide, thus enhancing the open relationship between spaces and the social control within the apartment.

The family has collected a large amount of different artefacts because of the many different places of residence. Using these different artefacts in combination with contemporary art gives the place a warm, atmospheric and rich decorated feel. The history of the apartment, the history of the family and the respectful incorporation of personal wishes within the design creates a balanced and harmonic apartment. This is an apartment that represents ‘home’, something the family wanted to achieve returning to the Netherlands.

Finished the renovation of an exclusive 300 sqm apartment in the ‘Amsterdam-Zuid’ area for a Dutch family. The apartment occupies the top 3 levels of a building complex built in 1925.

This supplies a large amount of beautiful light in the centre of the apartment on all levels.

At the terrace the view across Amsterdam is magnificent. The view takes you over the rooftops to the Olympic Stadium, the ‘Rijksmuseum’ and the theatre Carré. At the terrace you also have a view through the wide to the lower levels and the entrance hall. This is also an example of the basic design feature of connecting all spaces and levels.

Entering the apartment the wide creates a fabulous vista through all levels. The openness and grandeur of the spaces with this central vide show the great metamorphoses of the apartment. A great contrast to the narrow and dark old situation. The modern and dynamic family had a specific need for social interaction within the apartment but with enough possibilities to retreat within their own private quarters.

The open plan is organized in main functions that remain a strong social relationship but are separated through large glass & steel separation walls with glass & steel doors. The kitchen is the social centre of apartment. It offers a view to all important spaces and the wide, thus enhancing the open relationship between spaces and the social control within the apartment.

Contemporary Apartment Renovation – Building Information

Client: Private
Architect: Denoldervleugels Architects & Associates BV
Contractor: Bouwbedrijf Van Rijn BV
Steel Doors: Simply Steel
Ceramic Tiles: Porcelaingres
Kitchen: Bulthaup
Lightning: Modular Lightning Instruments / Artemide
Area: 300 sqm

Photographs: Michael van Oosten