The architecture and design blog

Photos: Arend Groenewegen Architect.

The original barn was built around 1800 and was in a thoroughly dilapidated condition. The proposal therefore to convert it into an office was welcomed, as it represented the best chance of saving the original structure. The project was completed in 2009. Read more

Photos: Christian Richters.

Working to a masterplan designed by West 8, Tony Fretton Architects teamed-up with Dutch firm Geurst en Schultz Architecten to produce these simple, elegant houses based on an abstracted notion of the classic Dutch Canal House. Read more

Images: Tjep.

With the apparent form of an English seaside bathing hut, this house plays tricks with its scale. Then there is that funny solar tree sprouting from the roof! It looks like a children’s cartoon, but then who wouldn’t feel like a child if they had a wonderful house like this on the beach? Read more

Photo: Ewout Huibers.

REM -Island was built in 1964 as a “pirate radio station” located off shore to circumvent Dutch legislation restricting radio transmissions. A raid by the authorities saw it sequestrated and put to other uses, and eventually dismantled in 2006. It has now been rebuilt, and in the process converted by Concrete Architectural Associates, to create an office and a restaurant spreading over two floors some 25 metres in the air. The menu: fine food with a side order of  360 degree views! Read more

Photos: Imre Csany / Csany Studio.

Completed a couple of years ago, the Rieteiland house designed by Hans van HeeswiJk Architects is an architectural response to the magnificent views from a plot on a newly created island in IJburd on the outskirts of Amsterdam.

The house has two aspects, the street façade is from perforated aluminium panels, some of which can be automatically opened where there are operable windows behind. The other, a glass façade with large sliding doors, is entirely focussed on the stunning views.

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