Apartment Singel by Laura Alvarez Architecture

Dutch firm Laura Alvarez Architecture has completed the renovation and interior design of a two-floor Apartment Singel in Amsterdam. The building is cataloged as a national monument. The main idea was to transform the dark and claustrophobic existing apartment into a bright loft and at the same time bring into view special elements of the ancient building.

A 70 m2 continuous living area is located on the first floor as a host of different living activities without dividing them into different rooms. A nut-wood sliding door gives the possibility to close off the entrance hall from the living space. A light steel staircase creates a transition between cooking and dining area. A series of satin-glass walls have been introduced in the upper floor to bring natural light into the lower level and the bathroom.

apartment living space by Laura Alvarez Architecture

An oak gray-painted window bench provides a seat to enjoy the beautiful view towards the Amsterdam channels. It is also thought as storage cabinets. As the clients enjoy very much cooking, the kitchen has been designed with special kitchen appliances to fulfill all their needs.

apartment kitchen by Laura Alvarez Architecture

On the upper floor we can find a guest room and the main sleeping room. Both spaces are experienced as one large room that can be split into two in case of need. The bathroom is situated between these two rooms. Existing plaster walls have been removed in order to bring the old roof-beams into view.

loft bedroom by Laura Alvarez Architecture

An eleven meter long closet has been designed to be used as storage and as wardrobe. An existing colorful closet is been used to define the height of the closet and to break the long white line of the new furniture. An indirect light is been placed above the closet to accentuate the continuity of the space.

Lighting has been carefully chosen and indirect light has been designed to allow different possibilities to the apartment. Frameless doors and plain plinths contribute to perceive the space as a sequence of pure and sharp surfaces. The bamboo floor gives a warm feeling upstairs whereas on the first floor a gray epoxy floor creates a balanced contrast with the nut wood elements.