Inspired by the industrial Amsterdam neighborhood, Marc Koehler Architects designed Lofthouse I with a minimalist exterior – black wood frames, vertical wood boards, and large windows. The layout consists of a reversed floor plan where the homeowners asked to sleep downstairs and have the upstairs be for gathering spaces. Having the kitchen, dining room, and lounge area upstairs, the views of the harbor were maximized.

The design is based on the architects’ Superlofts prefab concept which allows for floors to be installed in any position within the wooden structure. Being that it’s a prefab wooden structure, the construction time is significantly reduced.

The wood cladding transitions from wider boards to more narrow at the top adding to the visual appeal.
Per the owners’ request, the floors are connected via a central staircase that winds its way between the home’s half-levels creating an interior atrium. It almost feels like a video game.

To give the feeling of more space, the design is considered a split-level structure where each floor is a half floor higher or lower than the other. It also allows open sight lines between floors.

They also focused on designing an environmentally friendly house by installing PV panels on the roof, a CO2-controlled ventilation system, mechanical extraction, in-floor heating, and a collective heat grid to reduce consumption.

Photos by Filip Dujardin.

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