Page 89 - AIT0724_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design PLNL studio
Grundriss Erdgeschoss • Ground floor plan
Grundriss 1. Obergeschoss • Floor plan level +1
Grundriss 2. Obergeschoss • Floor plan level +2
Bauherr • Client Oliver Arthur and Magda Sakowicz
Standort • Location NL-Rotterdam
Nutzfläche • Floor space 175 m 2
Fotos • Photos Riccardo De Vecchi
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 126
CASA NL
IN ROTTERDAM
An old brick building located in the very heart of Rotter-
dam has been restored to its roots after the completion
of a remodelling project. The material overlays that had
been added over time were removed and the charm of
the building was exposed once again. The narrow town-
house – which previously housed two small flats and a
garage – has now become the home of a family of four.
T he house is our personal sandbox,” is how the residents like to
explain the special attraction of the old townhouse located right the
centre of Rotterdam. Which can be interpreted as meaning something
like: The family of four does not simply live in a ready-made piece of
property but in a home designed as a series of work-in-progress spaces
to work, play and experiment. The budget and time frame were tight,
and the owners of the building had to do a lot of the work themselves
– if that was possible with two small children and a lack of building
experience. The (building) adventure is therefore not yet complete and
still leaves room for future ideas. It is an unconventional field of expe-
rimentation that opens up here on three levels. One of the challenges
was to adapt the interior layout to today’s needs. This is particularly
evident on the ground floor, which is designed as a multifunctional,
open-plan space. An ideal place for parties or events. The residents’ love
of improvisation is particularly obvious in the kitchen design, which is
completely different to what you would normally expect. The kitchen
unit consists of just one element with a sink. The front is made of a
fabric that folds into large white pleats. An old workbench serves as a
work surface. There used to be an unheated garage with a workshop on
the ground floor. Even today, a robust, rough charm can be recognized,
which is not only due to the surface-mounted pipes, but above all to the
exposed brickwork. It presents itself self-confidently in its imperfection.
On the wall opposite, rotary-cut veneer forms a wooden counterpart
with a similarly uneven surface. A section was added to the long, nar-
row room on the garden side. The first floor with kitchen, dining- and
living area was also extended slightly. The outer walls are made of brick-
work, while the ceilings consist of wooden beams. Colour-painted steel
beams mark the transition from old to new. The master bedroom, a
children’s room, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom are located on the
first floor. The small round tiles are inevitably reminiscent of the 1980s,
but the grouting here is painted in orange-red. The matching colour
which was chosen for the door handle is the icing on the cake.
AIT 7/8.2024 • 089