-Re Adapt

“-Re” Adapt no. 1 – Nitpicking

“-Re” House together with “-Re” Adapt are two series part of a project in which I review, refine and redesign residential projects available on the Dutch housing market. “-Re” House touches projects that have been completed after the year 2000 and could have been done more efficiently to begin with, while “-Re” Adapt looks at how to better adapt older residential architecture that was designed in a different cultural and historical context. 


I started the “-Re” House project to showcase present time issues in the way residential buildings are being constructed as well as to provide better solutions within the same constrains. However, the largest part of the existing environment was done prior to the years 2000. Due to its size, its relevance can not be ignored. So, here is the first of the “-Re” Adapt series which will focus on minimal structural intervention.

Original layout:
•  Completed: 1980
Surface: 49m²


I call this nitpicking because this is actually an apartment I like. The flow of the space is easy and relaxed. Might not be a lot of space, but it has potential.
That being said, there were a few issues I could not help myself from playing with.
• I would add a proper storage space, like a closet, in the vicinity of the entryway.
• I would move the fridge much closer to the cooking area. No one likes running with dripping meat from the fridge to the frying pan. Just saying…
• I’d change the layout of the closet. The door as it is takes away from the usable space and makes it more difficult to limit the light and noise when partners have different schedules.

New layout:
I’ll focus on only two options here: residents who like to entertain and thus require a proper table and people who use their office space on a regular basis and thus prioritize other needs. And who says that in order to entertaining guest one must have a table… 
• I added a proper storage for the entry way next to the terrace door. This will help maintain the flow of the space and reduce the clutter.
• I have added extra storage in the kitchen while maintaining the working surface. I have condensed the kitchen elements as the storage shelves opposite the stove more than make up for the “lost” space.
• I redirected the closet so that the bed has the maximum available space and it can be easily accessed without making too much fuss. 


Click here for more “-Re” Adapt projects
Click here for more “-Re” House projects


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