Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation

Monumental warehouse, Amsterdam

Interior

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Beautiful conversation

“Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation” started with a special conversation with the client who asked us if we could create a space where luxury dynamic city life could take place on just 57m2.

Eating together had to be central to this, with the space stimulating beautiful conversations.

All of the client’s wishes were translated into a plan that focused on the use of the space. During the design process, we thought about what emotions fit the use in order to bring an extra layer to the architecture.

On the grid of the monumental beams we designed wooden “blocks” that are programmed both on the inside and on the outside, this way there is always something to discover and traffic space gets a double function. The blocks serve all adjacent spaces of its functions and are connected with ingenious vistas.

Volume versus Void

Gesamtkunstwerk

Working closely with art and craftspeople, the project was renamed an architect’s lab for four years in which we were able to mold everything to the client’s wishes. With this, the project became a “Gesamtkunstwerk” in which everything was designed and developed in our lab.

Umbilical cord to connect to the apartment

The 57m² home, located on the second floor, upon entering, begins with you entering a wooden “umbilical cord” like staircase. The staircase is made from a single tree trunk so that the steps of different cuts of the trunk, (quarter-timber, half-quarter-timber and boxwood), are presented as a runner under your feet.

Open floor plan

Walls, which can be pulled out of the central block can separate spaces from each other but also connect them, thus making a “salon-dining arrangement” a snap. Once the walls are pushed into the block, an open floor plan is created – the loft

The depth of the material

The materials chosen for this project continue their original properties in the design.

Wood grains from selected oak trees run through the cabinet fronts and the veins of marble form a tree in the corner of the bathroom to enhance the depth of the space.

Additional features are designed as jewelry

Cutting boards can be pushed out of the kitchen counter, shaving utensils are in a custom-made drawer. In the wardrobe, a cabinet was specially designed for gloves and adjustable hat rests in 1920s Bauhaus style.

Program

Apartment, home restaurant

BVO

57m²

Photography

Jurrit van der Waal

Completet

Phase-02 2024

Client

Private

Design

Van Bergen Architectura

Woodwork

J. Hendriks Meubelmaker

Technical advice

Anton de Gruyl

Building contractor

Huiser & de Witt

Electrics

Ferry Griekspoor

Stone

Tetterode

Ironwork

C.M van Bergen