Quiet living in an Amsterdam penthouse
Located within the prestigious De Hooch development in Amsterdam, this 250 m² penthouse was designed as a calm family home above the energy of the city. While the apartment already offered generous proportions, abundant daylight and panoramic views, the challenge was to create a more intimate and personal living environment without compromising its openness.
A defining design intervention centred around a large 1.2 x 1.2 metre service core positioned between the kitchen and living area. Rather than concealing this technical element, it became an integral part of the architectural composition. A bespoke wine cabinet and a sculptural fireplace were designed around the core, transforming a spatial obstacle into the organising element of the main living space.
The arrival sequence reinforces the transition from city to home. A private lift opens into a carefully composed entrance hall, leading through a bespoke pivot door before revealing the living area. This gradual sequence creates a sense of privacy and calm, allowing the apartment to unfold rather than reveal itself immediately.
Materiality combines warmth with architectural precision. Exceptionally large oak floorboards, sourced over several months, establish a quiet sense of scale, while natural stone, soft nubuck wall panels and bespoke timber detailing introduce texture and comfort throughout the interior. Inspired by the atmosphere of an alpine retreat, these materials soften the contemporary architecture without compromising its clean lines.
Technical integration was approached with equal precision. The Salvatori marble fireplace incorporates concealed ventilation through carefully engineered shadow gaps, allowing air circulation to remain entirely invisible. Lighting, climate control and audiovisual systems are discreetly integrated, ensuring that technology supports the architecture rather than competing with it.
Above the City demonstrates how thoughtful spatial planning, refined material choices and invisible technical detailing can transform a contemporary penthouse into a timeless home where comfort, privacy and craftsmanship quietly define everyday living.
A true dream home, the 250 sqm penthouse is situated in the prestigious boutique seven-storey residential complex De Hooch in the Dutch capital. The artfully crafted residential building has a distinctive facade featuring flowing forms and rhythmic ceramic wall tiles. This cosmopolitan quality is effectively translated into the awe-inspiring, personalized interior where generous furniture and an open-plan kitchen strike a pose. “When we first saw the apartment, we were immediately captivated by the spaciousness,” says one of the home owners. “The beauty of the interior design by Kolenik is that this perception of our home has only been enhanced. Each design choice strengthens the interior as a whole, truly elevating the entire living experience.” One of the client’s desires was for their new home to have a wall covered in wooden slats reminiscent of a ski lodge interior. A wood and velvety-soft nubuck wall panelling is the contemporary take on the ski lodge association, adding a personal touch and intuitively relating to the tiled vertical pattern of the building’s facade.
“To experience poetry in your home on a daily basis is magical,
I wouldn’t have wanted it differently”
The mirrored kitchen design uses two downdraft extractors integrated into the cabinets on both sides of the cooking area. Because nothing distracts, it’s the area where the family spends most of their time socializing with guests. “At first, we were a bit reluctant about the central placement of the kitchen area. It’s more visible and demanding than a closed-off kitchen area. But then I came to realize that it’s like wearing fashion. To enjoy great beauty, you have to compromise a bit on comfort. Now, I’m enjoying the beauty of our home every single day. To experience poetry in your home on a daily basis is magical, I wouldn’t have wanted it differently.” For the wet areas, Kolenik opted for natural stone. A selection of warm colours, natural materials and tactile materials together create a genuine sense of belonging, which is enforced by a keen eye for detail. “It looks and feels modest and extravagant at the same time. It’s our dream home.”
