The project involved the conversion of a 200m2 floor within a 1960s office building in Amsterdam, Netherlands, into a modern residence tailored for a family of three.
Designed with functionality and cohesion in mind, the apartment features an open-plan layout comprising a kitchen, dining area, and living room, along with two bedrooms, a guest room, walk-in closet, master bathroom, office, and hobby/library room.
A key aspect of the project was the creation of a unified aesthetic throughout the space. To achieve this, custom-designed millwork and furniture were meticulously crafted, ensuring each piece harmonized with the overall design scheme.
Drawing inspiration from the building's concrete structure, materials were selected and combined to enhance its raw beauty. Exposed beams and columns were delicately sandblasted to accentuate their rugged texture, while new concrete floors, complete with floor heating, were polished to establish a striking contrast between old and new applications of the same material.
In the open kitchen area, a dropped ceiling and vibrant green wall, adorned with a translucent floral pattern, define the space, creating a captivating juxtaposition with the plaster ceiling and concrete elements.
The majority of furniture throughout the residence is crafted from American walnut, infusing the interiors with warmth and the organic allure of natural wood.
Through thoughtful design decisions and meticulous attention to detail, the project successfully transformed the space, seamlessly blending functionality, aesthetics, and the unique character of its Amsterdam setting.
Location: Amsterdam
Size: 200m2
Budget: Undisclosed
Fireplace and media center located in living room.
Suspended walnut veneered display at the entrance.
An open kitchen featuring an extended counter on the island, crafted from durable Ceasarstone material. The kitchen furniture elegantly clad in rich walnut veneer, adding warmth and sophistication to the space.
The dining room is situated in an open space, with direct access from both the living room and kitchen. Plus, the lighting system is specifically designed to illuminate an impressive art wall.
Custom made walnut sideboard serving dining room.
Walnut version of 24/7 bed. Custom colored sliding table.
Custom made walnut bench/shoe storage at the entrance with matching display above.
Detail of contrasting textures. Structural columns with exposed sandblasted concrete and soft, warm surface of walnut sideboard.
Walls and ceiling in the open kitchen area with applied floral pattern.
Detail of custom made wooden inserts providing storage for audio equipment.
Apartment designed in a former warehouse. Exposed original brick walls and heavy wooden beams add flavour to this contemporary in it’s essence design.
View of the kitchen. Change in direction of the floor boards indicates boundary of the kitchen space.
Custom made kitchen island with cantilevered Ceasarstone top.
View of the kitchen through dining room space.
Exposed brick wall and original heavy timber beams contrasted with straight forward new parquet add authenticity and remind of an original function of the space.
Exposed brick wall illuminated from the top to enhance it's texture.
Low sideboard, finished in walnut veneer. Fabricated by zero-Lab
Custom designed and fabricated bathroom vanity. Made of zebrano veneer. Direction of wood veining changes on the furniture and transfers into lines of travertine flooring.
Linear tiles in the toilet
Custom made walnut library shelving and storage
Large space with freestanding bathtub adding luxurious feel.
Expansion of one bedroom attic apartment into full two floors and two bedroom apartment.
Complete redesign of layout and circulation. New location of kitchen and bathroom.
Apartment located just outside of Centrum Ring in Amsterdam.
View from the new bedroom towards the stairs. Glass sidelight allows one to perceive full scale of the library extending from lower floor.
View through the house over the stair opening from guest room to bedroom
Two story high library extending from lower floor through stair opening to both bedrooms. Fabrication and installation by www.zero-lab.com
New kitchen fabricated by www.zero-lab.com
New bathroom with grey ceramic tiles designed by Patricia Urquiola, fabricated by Mutina and supplied by www.zero-lab.com
detail of wooden joists - contrasting grey and white of highly illuminated skylight shaft
skyligh above stairs and library
Design shop and gallery located in center of Amsterdam. Created as an outlet to art, design, contemporary and vintage home and office furniture, architectural services and design products.
Display of outdoor furniture and vintage objects.
Display area and work space. Graphics, painting, vintage and contemporary furniture and lighting.
Design icons and contemporary lighting.
View of entrance to the kitchen. Charcoal grey island with celing element hosting lighting.
Island with charcoal color Ceasarstone
Charcoal steel framed door
Custom made grey kitchen cabinets in matt finish and charcoal grey ceiling element.
Detail of the upper cabinets.
Display in the upper cabinets
Small Freestanding bathtub.
Custom designed vanity, finished in grey lacquer. Ceramic washbasins and counter top taps.
Custom wardrobe in master bedroom.
Custom designed steel frame door and handrail.
Grey oiled solid oak boards
Grey oiled solid oak boards.
Located in a complex of canal houses and designed to attract and retain highly talented staff, the 1,400m2 office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment.
Early in design process the client and architect team agreed on the importance of respecting the legacy of the historic canal house to which AKQA was relocating their growing operations.
The concept has been consistently implemented by leaving the building infrastructure as untouched as possible, maintaining architectural character of the traditional canal house enriched by new forms and contemporary objects, creating clear contrast between the old and new.
The workplace provides structure for a more open environment that celebrates collaboration but provides space to focus.
Reception desk, ebony veneer and translucent LED illuminated Corian
Canal side conference room. Original ceiling paintings recovered during renovation.
Main reception space. Custom desk made of traditional ebony veneer and contemporary back lit translucent Corian.
Combination of traditional and hi-tech materials relate to location in traditional canal house and cutting edge position of AKQA.
Kitchen on the second floor of the office between two open areas.
Kitchen cabinets fabricated by zero-Lab.
Boardroom with custom made conference table by zero-Lab
Custom made sofa, in comfortable and flexible setting.
Next to the reception area. Contemporary bathroom fixtures supplied from the collection of zero-Lab
Open office with large work surfaces and ergonomic chairs.
The large kitchen in the main cafeteria is located in a garden-level space.
Kitchen furniture fabricated by zero-Lab.
Chandelier in the hallway at entrance suspended from original stucco ceiling.
Detail of custom-made sofa fabricated by zero-Lab and upholstered in fabric by Kvadrat.
Reception of the office of engineering company located downtown Los Angeles. Back panels fabricated from Corten steel - reminisce of civil engineering projects executed by the client.
Designed with Gensler, Santa Monica
Concept sketch of the internal staircase for advertising agency.
Complete redesign of a freestanding residence complete with structural modification of the house, change of main circulation, design of new functional spaces.
Office for consulting company in Chicago.
Designed with Perkins and Will
Office of Universal Global Real Estate - agency globally managing properties of Universal Studios.
Designed with Gensler Santa Monica
Office of Universal Global Real Estate - agency globally managing properties of Universal Studios.
Designed with Gensler Santa Monica
Office of Direct TV in Los Angeles
Designed with Gensler, Santa Monica.
Lounge room at the office of Direct TV in Los Angeles
Designed with Gensler, Santa Monica.
Cafeteria at the office of Direct TV in Los Angeles
Designed with Gensler, Santa Monica.
Small library in the overhead space of a staircase
Office of the consulting company in Chicago. Staircase connecting space of the main reception with office floor.
"Promenade" along conference center.
24/7. King size bed with additional features (sliding breakfast tray, integrated reading light, foldable side tables, slots for books and magazines integrated into head bord. Prototype fabricated in 2003. Bed was reproduced and customised for various projects.
