Graaff & van der Heiden
- Total Square Footage
- 2,635
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Bathrooms
- 3
Situated on Steigereiland, one of the new islands in Amsterdam, this four-story house is the result of the clients’ desire for a house with the character of a traditional Amsterdam row house, the transparency of tropical architecture, and a Balinesian garden. Chosen in order to decrease the building phase on site, the pre-cast concrete structure is laterally braced by the walls flanking the central staircase, allowing the façade and rear elevation to have full-width glazing on every floor. Inspired by the Indonesian background of one of the owners, an external screen of elliptical red cedar slats provides privacy and adds depth to the façade. These slats continue to the top of the house where they screen the glass balustrades of the generous roof terrace. The house was deliberately designed as four distinct floors connected by a central open stair that acts as a spine. Giving subtle distinction to each floor, the number of divisions in the glazing module increase per floor. The elegance and restraint of the red cedar and anodized aluminum are complemented by the playfulness of the graphic red door and the floating pink frame marking the location of the bathroom sink.
