In January 2014, DENOLDERVLEUGELS completed the renovation of an exclusive 300m2 apartment in Amsterdam South. The apartment occupies the top 3 floors of an apartment building dating from 1925.
The family who acted as client wanted, after living in various places abroad, to buy a house in Amsterdam. Together we looked for a home that would fit into modern family life with an open setting. The eye fell on a 2-storey apartment that was in 'shell' condition. This made it possible to completely dismantle the existing apartment until only the structure remained. The existing building was transformed into a transparent and open structure in which the relationship between various spaces and floors was optimally utilized.
The attic was unused in the acquired situation. In the new situation, the attic is spectacularly involved in the living space and brought into relationship with the underlying floors by a large central void in which an open steel staircase is placed. The void, centrally located in the apartment, provides daylight to all floors. The authentic beam construction and old masonry walls were retained to preserve the relationship with the past. On the newly added attic level, a large roof terrace offers a magnificent view over the surrounding roofs to a large part of Amsterdam, from Olympic Stadium to the Rijksmuseum and Carré. From the roof terrace, the void offers a view of the entrance hall two floors below and forms the spatial and functional connection between the different floors.
Entering the entrance hall is both surprising and spectacular, the height of the apartment reveals itself here in a sophisticated combination of steel, glass and light. The openness and grandeur of the spaces with the central void show a fantastic metamorphosis compared to the old situation.
The dynamic family with children needed a clear social relationship between the spaces but with enough places to retreat to. The open floor plans are divided into main functions that have a strong social relationship, separated by transparent walls made of steel profiles with glass that have large pivot doors. The kitchen is the social center of the house with a view of all the important rooms and the void, so that the relationship with the floors is maintained.
Partly because the family has brought many pieces of furniture and art from different countries during their various residential addresses around the world, the experience of the modern apartment is very warm, atmospheric and richly decorated. The history of the apartment, the history of the family and the respectful implementation of the wishes create a harmonious atmosphere in the apartment.
The apartment feels modern and warm, a welcome home, and that is exactly what the family wanted to achieve back in the Netherlands.
