ardor—studio

   


selected projects: minimalist apartment, office transformation, acoustic panels, modular retail design
Overview of hallway, kitchen, dining and living area with mezzanine under the roof
Blueprints of the original architecture
Plan of the apartment
View on the dining and living area with wooden construction beams in front and mezzanine in the back
living area with Richard Lampert lounge chair under the mezzanine and cozy wooden beamed ceiling
Living area under the mezzanine, focus on the Artifort sofa with Charlotte Perriand lamp 
living area with Richard Lampert lounge chair under the mezzanine and cozy wooden beamed ceiling and stairs in the back
Close up of the stairs and cupboard with sunshine coming through the window
Cozy bedroom with wooden paneling,  peek through window and Vitsoe shelf
Bedroom with high roof window, open ballustrade and Charlotte Perriand lamp
Peaking through mezzanine window at the kitchen block 
View from living area under the mezzanine on dining and kitchen area
View from Richard Lampert dining table to black and oak wooden kitchen block
Black kitchen block with barstool under overhang and oak wooden built in cupboards
close up of black kitchen top with cooking plate and exhaust fan flush with the surface
View on the kitchenblock and back wall with Vitsoe shelves, oak veneered cupboards and Nemo Biny spot lights
Lofty hallway with high wooden door frames and invisible utility closet doors
The nursery room with Ikea cupboard and low custom made bookshelf
Hallway with oak wooden wardrobe and grey tiled bathroom
Bathroom with oak wooden door and frame, grey tiles, white ceramics and soft lights

Warm, minimalist apartment for a family of three


Renovation of a private house
2024

Address: Retiefstraat, Amsterdam
Gross floor area: 60m2
Photographer: Flaredepartment

ardor—studio:
—Concept, Design and technical drawings
—Contracting
—Building (kitchen, cabinets)
—Furniture selection

Selected media: 
Never Too Small (Youtube)
Leibal
Notebooks

 This project entails a renovation of an apartment in the east of Amsterdam. After a large-scale renovation of a former corporation building block from 1924, the attics were delivered in “grey shell” form, without any installation or finishing. In the pre-renovated space, a single brick bearing wall splits the apartment. The fir wood roof construction beams are the only visible historical element left. The bearing wall determines the composition of the apartment, while the beams offer initiative for the materialization of the interior.

Maximizing space, light and comfort further determines the general direction of the design choices. As a result, the apartment as a whole has been kept open as much as possible, while the bedroom and office space is small and cozy in contrast. A roof window and dormer were build to gain extra floor space and daylight. Adding to the generous amount of windows bringing in light from all directions all day long.

At the entrance, a narrow but high corridor leads to the main space of the house. In here, high, oak-wood veneered doors and frames give entry to the bathroom and study. The built-in wardrobe follows the same style. The doors of the installation rooms, also in the corridor, are contrasting with a white matte finish, and built-in cabinet-like door sizes, starting higher from the floor.

Generous in size, the kitchen block in combination with the tall bookshelf, increases the sense of height in the space. On the side of the block is a shallow, oak-veneered cabinet for books as well as kitchen storage. The mix of functions makes the division between the kitchen and living room softer.

In the back of the space, the mezzanine with cupboards and stairs is designed as one whole and finished with oak veneer as well. This piece of furniture is supported by the bearing wall on one side and hangs from the roof on the other side. It results in a tiny bedroom house that burrows under the rooftop. Without support in the underlying living room, this area stays open and free. The mezzanine is made of a simple beamed ceiling that adds to the coziness of the seating area. Holes in the ceiling function as ventilation and make a composition with the beams.

The bathroom is tiled with 60-year-old tiles from a French factory where nowadays Winckelmans tiles are produced. Though a minimal-sized space, it holds many functionalities like a washer, dryer, vanity desk, storage, toilet and shower. The bathroom still feels spacious and light, with daylight and a partially high ceiling.

A minimal color and material palette offer calm spaces throughout the apartment. The white walls reflect the daylight that, during the days and months, show varying tones. And last but not least, high-quality materials, equipment and installations ensure comfort. The A+ energy label is the highest achievable level for renovated buildings.