House Werengouw
A compact transformation with a generous effect. This 1960s home in Amsterdam was reimagined with a new floor plan, extension and interior—combining clever structural solutions, sustainable materials and a careful rhythm of custom and standard elements.
A 1960s house in Amsterdam was transformed into a bright and open family home. With just a few well-considered interventions, the existing structure was entirely reconfigured. A new timber-framed extension adds space and daylight, featuring generous windows and a roof light that connects the ground and first floors. By relocating the entrance and removing the rear balcony, the extension could be built with slightly more height than the original house—optimising spatial quality within the allowable building envelope.
The new plan was designed with openness, connection, and future adaptability in mind. Structural interventions were key: a steel frame allowed the original rear façade to be left untouched, without adding load to the existing structure. Two new columns, one left exposed, redistribute the forces. The visible column is placed precisely where the floor plan divides into two equal squares—aligned with the joint in the concrete floor slab. This creates spaciousness without excess, with a structural logic that is both clear and tangible.
The design was developed in close dialogue with the client, builders, craftspeople and suppliers. By working intelligently within standard building systems, there was room for custom solutions, both in form and detail. Timber window frames were designed with great care for rhythm and proportion (in two and three equal parts), with double doors and sightlines strengthening the relationship between inside and outside. Natural, sustainable materials were used throughout: the house now has a new insulated floor with underfloor heating, HR+++ glazing, and timber window frames. The garden, newly planted and growing, forms a green extension of the living space.
This transformation ties together past, present and future. The result is a home tailored to its current inhabitants, yet open and flexible enough to welcome new ones—balanced between solidity and adaptability.
