Private Residence MW

View of fireplace in main living space.

Project Details

• Project Name: Private Residence MW
• Client: Private
• Project Type: Residential Design
• Principal Designer: Thomas Laurens
• Year of commencement of project: 2006
• Year of completion of project: 2007
• Location of site: Amsterdam Canals, The Netherlands
• Site Area: 110 square meters
• Built-up Area: 350 square meters

Side view of the staircase.

The Building

The apartment is designed as an open social space.

One is afforded views into the entire space of the apartment right at the entrance.

Storage cabinets and a bookcase are built into a wedge like profile which suggest the fanning out and opening up of the residence to its front facade. The visitor is thus welcomed and drawn into the interiors of the apartment.

View of circular entry hall.

A stainless steel staircase takes centre stage in the space and captures the attention of both the visitors as well as the inhabitants. The various spaces are knit around this element.

Its sculptural form splits in shape at one third of its total height in an attempt to hint at the difference between the social open main floor and the private areas above.

View of the kitchen wall and island.

The kitchen is designed with its immediate context, functionality and storage as the main parameters of consideration. It is visually linked to the main living space.

The exhaust hood has been designed to emerge as a part of the main block rather then to form another loose volume within the space. The entire arrangement along with the breakfast table is designed as a single unit.

Detail view of kitchen island.

Grey, beige, army green, stainless steel and whites combined with greyish oak create a flexible backdrop to the space.

View of master bathroom.

"Flos" spherical lighting elements provide ambient lighting throughout the apartment. Special "accent" pieces are however used for accentuated lighting atop the main dinner table and in the hallway.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs by Jurriaan Langstraat, Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Mitesh Saraf