1914 is the year Charlie Chaplin makes his film début in the comedy short Making a Living. Thus anything we might have to comment on a building completed in that time can only be discussed from a historical perspective. We can discuss on how to adapt it for a better use in present times, and we will, […]
The recent work done by Studio Roosegaarde at the Aflsuitdijk brought back into the spotlight the issue of light pollution. This is something that in my opinion, here in the Netherlands, does requires some attention. If not in the loop, you might be wondering why is there such an issue as light pollution. Is just […]
At first glance I was more than convinced that this apartment was perfect for the new series “-Re” Adapt. It gave me the feeling on an old house, and I could have actually bet it was an old Amsterdam house split in apartments to rent. To my complete surprise I discovered this is part of […]
For a while I lived in a 25m² studio. Two people. Nowhere to hide. Sometimes you literally just want to kill each other. Obviously we didn’t! :D So, a 37m² is totally doable as a two persons apartment. Original layout: • Completed: 2011 Surface: 37m² • For the love of all, unless it is a fancy […]
This apartment is an experiment. A test if you will. The purpose is to streamline the circulation of the spaces as we use them. Bedroom to toilet/bathroom, kitchen to closet, living room to kitchen, kitchen to bedroom. How many of us actually use the rooms in our house one by one and then be done […]
This is the “original” Hamster Box, the first apartment I used to explain the “fake loggias”. These are fake balconies made from creating a glass enclosure behind a facade. I added my five cents on the matter here. Original layout: • Completed: 2001 Surface: 126m² External storage: 9m² • The layout of this apartment is limited by […]
Sometimes, there is no other way. Sometimes, the layout just plays with your nerves. So then, it gets down to the fine details to help with the proper functioning of a residence. Original layout: • Completed: 2004 Surface: 110m² Loggia: 5m² External storage: 6m² • I have to admit that the load-bearring wall that cuts this […]
This is an apartment that was sent to me. It is not the craziest I have seen. It actually is a reasonable one. However, there are a few things worth mentioning. Note: The floor plans provided by the estate agent aren’t fully correct. Which is rather unfortunate and quite common. I’m often forced to fully […]
Open Monumentendag is a cultural event that takes place in the second weekend of September throughout the Netherlands. An impressive number of monuments open their doors for one or both days. And if some of them can be visited other times of the year, some, such as private homes or offices, are open to the […]
Architecture is about people. That is my mantra. So we should talk also about what makes us tick, about what to learn, how to learn. We should think and love to think about all that surrounds us. We should ponder, debate, talk and share in order to gain knowledge and insight into ourselves and society. And […]