“-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. 

This is as apartment we can’t really criticize. It is a 1925 construction in one of the craziest cities in the Netherlands. It has seen many residents and many, renovations.

Original layout:
•  Completed: 1925
Surface: 50m²
External space: 5m²

• The obvious point of attraction is the shower box in the middle of the layout. This was probably the easiest and cheapest t solution at its time. However, if one is to buy this apartment, it should be with a good renovation in mind.

New layout:
• We tend to place balconies in relation with spaces like living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. The spaces benefit from one another. The relationship bathroom – a private space / balcony – a rather public space is a less common one. It does however, have benefits. Proper ventilation and, in this case, easy access to a laundry line.
The choice to move the bathroom in this location had nothing to do with the balcony. It was the easiest way to place in one location the bathroom necessities and also add a laundry corner. It’s vicinity to the bedrooms and a vertical pipe line strengthened the choice even more.
• What the kitchen may have lost space wise in its new location, it has gained in view (main street view), connection with the dining space and the living room.
• Due to its surface and location of relevant elements (such as the main entry door), the apartment lacks the option of a main hallway. This results in a loss of privacy for the two bedrooms, which in this context, is a compromise I can live with.
• In closing, the more than common use of the secondary bedroom as a walk in closet is indicative of a huge unfulfilled need for storage in a large number of designs. Yes, storage is not a selling point as appealing as a fancy view or an open kitchen, but in long term it does become a critical one.

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