Amstelloft in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by WE ARCHITECTEN

Article source: WE ARCHITECTEN

The collective DIY-housing project Amstelloft consists of spacious loft-apartments. Inspired by dwellings in old schools, churches and warehouses: flexible space with double height which can be turned into living spaces ranging from open lofts to four-bedroom-apartments. The future inhabitants were intensely involved in the realization benefiting the pronounced posibilities and character of the design.

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

• Architects: WE ARCHITECTEN
• Project: Amstelloft
• Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Photography: Filip Dujardin
• Client: Bouwgroep Amstelloft
• Contractor: Van Bekkum bouwondernemingBV
• Period: 2012 (start design) – 2016 (completion)

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Living Like in Old Schools, Churches and Warehouses 

The living spaces have a height of 5,5 meters which allows every household to realize their own demands and dreams. The concrete structure can be filled  with extra wooden floors which are easily adaptable when the interior no longer fits due to, for example, increased family size or a change of job.

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Initiative, Design and Mentoring of Realization  

WE architecten took initiative to start this DIY-housing development. At information evenings a group of enthusiast future inhabitants was formed around the spacious living concept. The municipality awarded the initiative with a beautiful site with a fanstastic view on the river Amstel, running through the heart of the city of Amsterdam.

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Character-Filled Structure 

The arched facade openings enhance the experience of the double-high spaces and give the DIY-housing structure a binding and outspoken character. Large facade openings and voids making it possible to create deep and bright apartments since daylight can enter deep into the building. Making a compact building was important to realize the high sustainability ambitions.

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Fully Engineered  

One important principle was the separation of the building structure and the interiors in the realization process. This gave the individual households full freedom within their living spaces. This deviation from the regular building process also required a thorough coordination with the municipality. During the design process the DIY-housing concept was fully engineered in all its aspects.

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Image Courtesy © Filip Dujardin

Embraced by the Inhabitants  

The DIY-housing concept ‘Living like in old schools, churches and warehouses’ has been fully embraced by our clients. This has resulted in a surprising variety of lively and spacious interiors.

Image Courtesy © WE ARCHITECTEN

Image Courtesy © WE ARCHITECTEN

Image Courtesy © WE ARCHITECTEN

Image Courtesy © WE ARCHITECTEN

Tags: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Categories: House, Interiors, Residential

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