The Gymnasium House, Netherlands

This project concerns the realization of a new home in a former gymnasium. A space everyone knows and many architects have fantasized about.

This started with the request of a client to develop an old inner-city gymnasium. They studied the neighbourhood and the specifics of this dense area and decided to develop the building into a home. Bringing minimal pressure to the neighborhood: less traffic, better for reachability and local environment.

The main space is perfectly square. A walkway around the floor opening connects the first floor rooms. This creates the vertical traffic and communication in the house. The 10 skylights bring a flood of daylight to the ground floor. The open court is crowned with a 3m Ø LED-ring. The only circular architectural form in the building.

Specifically the original steel trusses inspired the choice for new additions. The new floor is a steel structure with similar detailing: the connections between the beams and the way the steel is laid upon the bearing walls. The ground floor ceiling is a copy of the original ceiling of the slanted roof. A transparent and honest language. The long railing of the stairs, the doors and window frames on the walkway are all Yellow Cedar.

The finish gives an extremely soft sensation when touched. The brushed Larch, the reused Oak floor, the 4 reused central columns, the ultra soft Alpaca rug are in line with the embedded idea that architecture needs to be touchable: the third skin. Even the Eucalyptus finish for the closets have a nice and distinctive odor.

Early in the design the use of plants was integrated. A garden is visible from the master bathroom and from many areas in the house as well is the central tobacco plant .The objective was to design an intimate, livable home, a space for people. This resulted in a minimal, industrial construction and a very personal approach towards the finishes. This reflects the clients character as well.