“We are part of nature in a deep and fundamental way, but in our modern lives we’ve lost that connection,” says Giacomo Garziano, architect and founder of Amsterdam–based GG-loop.

It was precisely this desire to reconnect with nature that planted the seed for Freebooter, a biophilic residential complex on Zeeburgereiland, an island east of Amsterdam that was underwater until 1910 and served as a ship thoroughfare. Taking cues from the site’s history, Freebooter, which comprises two apartments, is designed as a “modern-day ship on land” with myriad references to wind, water, and sail.

Like a ship’s hull, the project’s material palette was limited to wood, steel, and glass. The two apartment complexes boast an organic, free-flowing layout, which Garziano likens to that of a boat. Perhaps the most obvious comparison is the complex’s slatted facade, a reference to the dynamic wind and waves adventurers endure when sailing.

The 2,766-square-foot duplex is divided into two open-plan apartments. While each dwelling is centered around the kitchen and bathroom, the communal living areas evolve fluidly.

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Finished with thoughtful details like terraces, balconies, and strategically planned acoustics in each room, Freebooter encourages dwellers and guests to sit back, relax, and appreciate their surroundings.

Related Reading: A Live-In Kitchen on a Houseboat in Amsterdam

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: GG-loop / @gg_loop

General Contractor: Kolthof

Structural Engineer: Pieters Bouwtechniek

Civil Engineer: Mabutec

Lighting Design: GG-loop

Interior Design: GG-loop

Sound Engineer: GG-loop

Cabinetry Design: KCP Amsterdam