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/architecture /spatial

Babel 21

interior design (in progress)

Robin, Gerard, and their expanding family are soon going to call Toren van Babel their home, a new housing block conveniently situated in close proximity to Rotterdam’s city centre. By the water of the Maas and Schiehaven, this building will accommodate a rich variety of two-story new-build duplex homes spanning from approximately 80m² to 155m². Their apartment, positioned on the sixth and seventh floors, has a southern orientation. For this assignment, I am carefully crafting and designing their new interior, producing detailed plans and 3D visualizations.

 

Together, we have curated a comprehensive list of requirements encompassing the kitchen and living space, as well as the sleeping quarters and bathroom. I am generating fresh ideas and offering guidance on materials, furniture, and color selections.

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/architecture /spatial

Coopérative Droixhe

context

Striking for the location of the project are the contrasting urban fabrics of the neighbourhoods Bressoux and Droixhe. While Droixhe features modernist towers, Bressoux is characterized by organically grown 19th-century dense housing blocks. The site location itself is marked by remnants of demolished 20-story towers.

In this context, the new design aims to mend the existing urban structures by introducing a park-villa typology. This intervention bridges the gap between the large-scale towers and the intimate density of the housing blocks, creating a harmonious and balanced urban environment that integrates nature and human-scale living.

co-housing

The building blocks house a vibrant co-housing community, where shared facilities such as laundry rooms, bike storage, and vegetable gardens create opportunities for neighbors to connect and build relationships. The convenience of shared car parking and the presence of co-working spaces and workshops foster collaboration and provide a space for residents to start local businesses.

The communal kitchens, centrally located within the open floor plan, serve as the focal point for social gatherings. The housing typologies are designed by the future users themselves, promoting interaction and a strong sense of belonging through a cooperative approach. The plinth of the buildings house several public functions and entrances to the homes to stimulate all-day activity on the street.

adaptability

The design embraces adaptability with an open floor plan that maximizes flexibility. The load-bearing facade and core allow for an open layout that can accommodate various functions. Standardized grid sizes are used, creating highly usable room proportions that can easily be adapted to changing needs. By over-dimensioning spaces, the design provides room for different activities, ensuring a versatile and adaptable environment that can evolve along with the users’ requirements.

structure

The building’s structure combines a CLT load-bearing system on top of a concrete basement, providing a sustainable and sturdy foundation. Inside, simple wooden paneling partition walls create flexible spaces that can easily be reconfigured. Natural ventilation is incorporated to promote a healthy indoor environment, while sunshading elements, controlled by the users, add a unique touch. Unlike traditional closed-off shutters, the bright orange sunshading design allows glimpses of life inside the building, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that showcases the dynamic community within.

Categories
/architecture /film /spatial

Nieuw Vechtleven

about

plan

The design is based on three pillars: rhythm, structure, and surroundings. These principles are visible in the extension, adding a new order to the introverted character of the monastery. The glass facade offers a 360° view of the surroundings, adding an extroverted character. It is visible how the repeated columns in the facade have their typology next to the design by Jan de Jong and go into a direct conversation by intersecting the building in the middle.

use

The building is separated into three main functions: the artist and scientist residence, the retreat centre, and the Doornburg facilities. Next to the main entrance, the different visitor groups can each use their separate entrance. In the Nieuw Vechtleven extension, the artists in residence can reconnect with their artistic nature with a beautiful view of the estate and the Vecht. 

The Doornburg facilities, like the multi-purpose room, study hall, and workshop spaces, are accessible for day visitors. The large exhibition hall and art basement are accessible for visitors who get a ticket to the exhibition. Attached to the open courtyard and next to the restaurant in the old monastery is a terrace with a beautiful view of the estate. This opens up the character of the monastery.

construction

The building has a hybrid structure: a concrete basement and a CLT structure on top. The roof construction is mainly supported by large CLT columns and CLT beams, the black-burned wooden columns of the facade support the main structure.

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/film /graphic

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DALUMA brand products

image: DALUMA GmbH

menu 2020

image: DALUMA GmbH

juice labels 2019

business cards 2019

Categories
/architecture /film /spatial

Haarlem Hub

Haarlem Hub

After having been in service of Haarlem for 115 years, the dome prison closed its doors in 2016. The dome is thé icon of Haarlem, but adds little to the city without a function. The vacant complex will be repurposed with a function that ties in with the historic city centre. The redesignation will increases the quality of life in the city center.

concept

Haarlem Hub

After having been in service of Haarlem for 115 years, the dome prison closed its doors in 2016. The dome is thé icon of Haarlem, but adds little to the city without a function. The vacant complex will be repurposed with a function that ties in with the historic city centre. The redesignation will increases the quality of life in the city center.

CITY

The dome prison of Haarlem is the icon of the city, however, in the current situation the prison complex does not merge with the rest of the historic city center. The area can complete the city center as a whole by connecting to the Bolwerken park.

District

Due to the densification of the city, there is little public space left in the historic center. The location of the dome and the enormous space now used for traffic are perfect for a large-scale public function such as a park.

Building

By reducing the complex to the original, historic buildings of the dome prison, breaking open the surrounding wall and dampening car traffic, a lot of space can be freed up for a public function. The dome prison is given a public appearance and the cathedral effect will be restored.

District

Due to the densification of the city, there is little public space left in the historic center. The location of the dome and the enormous space now used for traffic are perfect for a large-scale public function such as a park.

building

By reducing the complex to the original, historic buildings of the dome prison, breaking open the surrounding wall and dampening car traffic, a lot of space can be freed up for a public function. The dome prison is given a public appearance and the cathedral effect will be restored.

Usage

The vacant building and its surroundings will be transformed into a city park with the dome as a covered city square. Haarlem Hub will be the center of activity in the city. By mixing permanent and temporary functions, there will be a constant liveliness in the place. The redevelopment improves the living environment of the city and completes the historic center.

Categories
/architecture /film /spatial

Museumplein

this is a heading in lowercase

The Museumpark of Rotterdam will be upgraded with the addition of the new Collectiegebouw from architects MVRDV. In this project, the public space of the park is researched. Within the theme: a positive outdoor space, the Museumpark has been transformed into the Museumplein.

figure ground studies

In my opinion, in the current situation, the museums are not positioned well and they are too far away from each other. The museums would be more united when they are surrounding a square altogether. Based on this idea, figure-ground studies have been carried out in order to create a positive outdoor space. An outdoor space is positive when it has a clear form and when this form is as important as the buildings surrounding it. 

positive outdoor space

Ultimately, the existing museums were placed in the usable space of the Museumpark. The Collectiegebouw has been turned upside down and put back halfway in the ground, to break open the positive outdoor space of the square. Subsequently, a design for the surrounding park is made, based on a flowing route through the park. All this together creates a monumental appearance because of the location next to a large square: the Museumplein of Rotterdam.

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masterclass

The 2nd of november 2017 was a day to remember. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kunsthal, its architect Rem Koolhaas was invited to provide a masterclass exclusively for students. The masterclass kicked off with the conversation between Véronique Patteeuw and Rem Koolhaas about the building. Afterwards, in conversations with students and public, Koolhaas gave feedback to the projects created by the students from TU Delft, TU Eindhoven and WdKA.

I was invited to represent the Willem de Kooning Academy with my project about the Museumpark in Rotterdam. The chance to meet Rem Koolhaas and get his opinion on my work is an extraordinary opportunity, so I didn’t hesitate to prepare my presentation to the smallest detail. Good preparation IS key to a successful presentation.

Rem Koolhaas started his comment with: “There is an English word, mind-experiment, which is simply saying: this is not realistic but I am going to experiment anyway, and you did that and it was very admirable and refreshing”. This insight made me more confident about my work and the work I aspire to do in the future.

We later shook hands and thanked each other.