Project Name: Apartment in the Jordaan District
Architects: Studio Woods
Project team: Joanna Kregiel-Vereecke
Location: Jordaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project images: Michal Suskiewicz
Joanna Kregiel-Vereecke and her team at Studio Woods skillfully transformed a two-story apartment in Amsterdam’s historic Jordaan district. Located in a classic 1863 brick townhouse, the 87-square-meter apartment blends modern design with the building’s historic charm, perfectly reflecting the owners’ tastes and lifestyle needs.
Embracing Historical Elements
Joanna chose to expose and highlight a 19th-century brick wall in the living room, responding to the owners’ desire for a home that feels both modern and authentic. This feature not only adds character but also tells the story of the building’s past, providing a striking backdrop for both contemporary and restored post-war furniture.
Strategic Spatial Reconfiguration
The team transformed the space by reducing the size of an adjoining toilet to create new storage cabinets accessible from the kitchen. This adjustment gave the owners additional valuable storage while enhancing the kitchen’s functionality. Joanna injected fresh, modern looks into the kitchen with unique color accents, including cobalt sockets and pink tiles, complemented by matching cobalt grout.
Unique Design Decisions
The renovation extended to the toilet, which now features pink walls and ceilings styled after Mondriaan’s geometric paintings, creating a vibrant and artistic space. Joanna cleverly reconfigured the bathroom layout to facilitate access to the rooftop terrace, previously awkwardly reached through the bathroom. She divided the old bathroom into a smaller bathroom and a utility room, which now also functions as a hallway to the terrace.
Enhancements for Comfort
To improve living comfort within the historic building, Joanna insulated the apartment’s external walls from the inside to comply with the preservation regulations of Amsterdam’s old facades. She also upgraded the ventilation system to enhance indoor air quality.
A Personal Touch
Joanna expanded the master bedroom by slightly reducing the adjacent office room’s size, providing space for a large wardrobe. Her commitment to aligning the project with the clients’ personalities is evident in her statement about the rewarding journey of creating a space that truly feels like home for the owners and their two cats.
Conclusion
The renovation of the apartment in the Jordaan District by Joanna Kregiel-Vereecke is a testament to how innovative design can integrate modern needs with historical integrity. The project successfully creates a personalized urban retreat that respects its roots while offering a contemporary living space.
