courtesy Raoul Kramer

Serge Schoemaker Architects was commissioned to renovate and modernize a semi-detached house from the thirties in Naarden, the Netherlands. The architectural office significantly improved the internal spatial quality of the traditional house without physically altering its protected external appearance.

courtesy Raoul Kramer

The overall strategy focused on creating a greater sense of space and light throughout the house. Starting with the ground floor, the practice radically transformed the existing layout which comprised a series of divided, cramped rooms. A new circular routing – clustered around the stairwell – was designed to enable a flow of spaces. The elongated living room, hall and small kitchen were combined into a new spacious living and dining area while a new library occupies part of the former garage.

courtesy Raoul Kramer

The new layout enables internal views in all direction. An eight metre-long unit stretching from the living room into the kitchen and library acts as a functional spine by integrating the fireplace, storage and kitchen appliances. In the kitchen, a thin cantilevering in-situ concrete bar with integrated sink becomes the hub of the home. To enable flexible use of the kitchen, a complementary custom-designed oak dining table can be placed beside or underneath the bar.

courtesy Raoul Kramer

In the new library, the full height of the garage was maximised to create a voluminous feel, while the verticality of the floor-to-ceiling custom book shelves contrast the horizontal lines of the rest of the interior. The formerly disused attic gained a new function as a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Serge Schoemaker Architects transformed the space by enlarging the windows, removing the internal walls and exposing the full height of the roof structure to create more space and light.

+ Project facts

Client: Private
Location: Naarden, the Netherlands
Program: Residential
Gross Floor Area: 195 m2
Status: Completed (2013)
Team: Serge Schoemaker, Max Hart Nibbrig, Giulia Tönz
Photography: Raoul Kramer

+ All images and drawings courtesy Serge Schoemaker Architects