quay house

Private Client

IJburg exists out of a number of islands in the IJ lake and is situated east of Amsterdam. On one of the islands, called Rieteiland, a DIY-building lots have been released by residential foundation De Key. The quay of the island is characterized by a large variety of free lot residential houses. On one of these DIY-lots PROTOTYPE designed a modest residential building as a modern translation of the traditional quay houses.

In the centre of the building a mass and a void are created. The void has been designed as a high and sacral space, creating connection and interaction between the multiple levels and spaces in the house. The mass organizes and shares the building in a front and back house. The core is being pierced by the stairs, which playfully connects the different spaces, from living areas to the bedrooms.

The balance between the masses of the stairs and the lightness of the void can be felt clearly from different positions in the house. Modest hues and materials have been chosen to connect in colour and tactility of the base material concrete. As a result, this created synergy between colour and texture of the chosen materials and finishing a serene atmosphere arises. In combination with the dramatic light, the core of the house becomes a space for reflection and serenity.

Pavilions Vught

Private Client

In a park-like environment at the Rondeweg in Vught, a villa was built in the thirties out of the characteristic red bricks of that time. The quality of the park-like surrounding is continued in the design within the lot of the existing house.

As part of this ‘new park’, two pavilions have been designed: the tine office pavilion and a teahouse pavilion, both subtly connecting with the existing residential house. Both pavilions have their own identity and material characteristics, creating an interaction within the total concept.  

The materialization of the pavilion connects as much as possible with the existing residential house. The concrete plinth and copper roof grade colorwise with the typical red bricks of the house. The façade of the pavilion is made entirely out of glass in Iroko wooden frames, creating a strong inside outside relation, between nature and interior and between existing and new.

The teahouse pavilion is built out of an open braided pattern of steel, also functioning as the construction of the pavilion, thus creating a pavilion free of columns. The round roof of the pavilion exists out of double curved glass parts, connecting with the steel substructure. The braided steel elements are taken over by the greenery, creating a beautiful symbiose between the greenery of the park and the open structure of the pavilion.

Houseboat Warmond

Private client

Studio PROTOTYPE’s design embraces a timeless yet modern simplicity, crafted from a carefully curated palette of durable materials. The houseboat is conceived as a refined wooden structure, with an exposed oak framework that not only defines the ceiling of the living spaces but also showcases its honest construction. This rhythmic wooden framework extends upward, culminating in a subtle roof cornice. Two raised sections in the roof introduce a dynamic play of daylight throughout the home while lending the volume a distinctive horizontal articulation. The transparent wooden detailing allows solar panels to be seamlessly concealed from view.

Functionally, the houseboat is organized into two levels. The main living and gathering spaces are positioned at water level, creating a continuous visual connection along both the length and width of the home. This openness fosters a beautiful sequence of spaces that alternate between expansive water views and moments of shelter and privacy. Below the waterline, the lower level houses the bedrooms, storage, and technical installations.

Designed for an all-around orientation, the houseboat features a carefully balanced interplay of open and closed elements. Wooden panels define the enclosed sections, lending the façade a natural, understated elegance. Thoughtfully integrated architectural details—such as a skylight that brings daylight into the lower level and a subtly incorporated entrance—blend seamlessly into the overall design, reinforcing the houseboat’s harmonious aesthetic.

House by the Spaarne

Private client

Vertical Lofts

Development Collective

Studio PROTOTYPE saw an opportunity to design a clear structure opposed to the diversity of design following the do-it-yourself initiatives in the street. This structure is distinctive in scale and materiality and a translation of the typological design of loft apartment. The residential houses are at the sun side of the building spaciously connected by means of a void.

A central core enables an open living environment, in which multiple set-up principles are possible. The core has been remained as small as possible by placing the stairwells completely outside of the building, making them part of the balconies on the backyard side. This finding, of placing the stairswells on the outside of the façade, resulted in more open living space within the complete building contour. By breaking up the structure at the plinth and the crown, the building opens up to the street and the view. The rhythm of the concrete façade emphasizes the loft apartments for which grand and high windows have been created, based on the maximum glass size of 5.40 meters. The windows give a framed view on the new developed neighborhood.

The concrete façade structure has been given multiple surface treatments, such as a surface with a coarse structure for the front façade penants. The penants are poured in traditional wooden molds. The deeper detailed concrete frames are treated to have a more smooth structure in order to create a more subtle difference in texture between coarse and smooth within the concrete materialisation. 

For one of the upper loft apartments, in the by studio PROTOTYPE designed Vertical Lofts, the interior has been designed. The apartment exists out of three levels, vertically connected by several voids and staircases. In contrary to the brutal, concrete exterior of the building, the interior feels subtle and warm. 

A multi-functional core is built up out of multiple elements all accessible and usable from the living space; such as entrance, cloakroom, kitchen and a closet that houses a complete home laboratory. This core of the building is coated with a special wooden pattern that forms a fine continuous line through the complete house. Different intimate spots are part of this core and give the user a comforting feeling within the interior. The subtle application of natural materials such as straw webbing, oak wood and nature stone are optimally balanced, providing a timeless whole.

Villa Schoorl

private client

In the middle of a one of the most beautiful dune landscapes in the Netherlands the small town of Schoorl is situated. It is surrounded by an almost surreal landscape, serene nature and magnificent views and vistas. A typical authentic Dutch landscape, of which only a few are left. At the end of one of the many lanes with high trees, a dark silhouette has risen. A family farm, which is a modern interpretation of a typical black barn common in the region.

The required program is translated into a clear programmatic grid, which is also used as a starting-point to arrange the spatial concept. The grid is modified compared to the former grid and spatially translated into several opened and functional objects. Depending on the different functions the objects were designed in a more open or closed manner. The volumes were then modified to form a succession of open, closed, light and dark spaces. Inside the volumes intimate spaces such as the library, music room, studio, bedrooms and bathrooms exist.

In between these volumes, a central, open living area connects to the veranda where the exterior flows into the interior, a moment to enjoy to the surrounding landscape. The objects within play a game with the outer surface of the house and volumes pierce through the main mass. This results into an impressive interaction of volume and structure forming a sculptural entity.

The outer shell is materialized with black metal, a combination of anodized aluminium for side facades and roof, and a solid, one piece, rolled steel plate for the front façade. The flames that characterises rolled steel have a certain natural beauty, relating to its natural surrounding. 

A high level of detailing characterizes the villa. Studio PROTOTYPE achieved this refinement by partly taking over the role of the contractors and subcontractors with, for instance, initiating the development of a transparent coating to preserve the characteristic natural marking of rolled steel and prevent oxidation in the harsh salty sea climate.

The interior volumes are again materialized with rolled steel, in contrast to surrounding spaces where light maple wood is used. The floor of sand coloured concrete has a direct relation to the dunes outside. Furniture elements have been designed in coherence with the rest of the building. This results in a spatial puzzle and timeless atmospheres where the building and interior seamlessly merge.

Villa Sint Anna

private client

The house is showing glimpses of a classic modern beauty and shows through its modesty- a powerful relation with a special part of Nijmegen.

The plot situated on the Sint Annastraat is subdivided and was part of an estate that was owned by the Vroom family. Studio PROTOTYPE designed a one-level volume that is fully oriented towards the greenery and serves the surrounding landscape. The tension between the tall, monumental trees and the light horizontal volume results in a beautiful contrast and interplay between the two elements.

This villa is a host in this landscape and acts with modesty towards the prominent entrance avenue of Nijmegen. A part of the program such as the master bedroom, workplace and storage room are situated beneath the landscape, providing a new perspective on the landscape.

Within the main volume, small mass volumes are carefully positioned to create a soft and gradual transition between inside and outside. Large glass windows are stretched between the massive walls, creating contrast and beautiful interplay between open and closed, light versus dark, and prospect against refuge.

At the entrance, an impressive panorama window gives the visitor a beautiful view to the landscape.The house is constructed of specially designed ceramic profiled façade panels and are coated with a light glaze.

The whole is inspired by the warm modernism of Nijmegen.

Edge House

Private client

Watervilla

Private client

This water villa was designed by FRAMEWORK Architecten & Studio PROTOTYPE for a waterfront location near the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

The relationship between the water and the house is central to the design. There is a subtle interplay between openness and closure. The vertically designed pattern, an abstract reference to the water, not only offers optimal privacy but also allows for a delicate play of light within the residence. The inhabitants can regulate their privacy, for example, through an integrated folding window that can be remotely opened and closed.

The house is spacious, with three levels, one of which is below the water, while the living and work areas are located above the water. The three levels are connected by an inner patio, which not only centrally organizes the house’s layout but also provides sufficient light to the lower level. Additionally, the steel staircase, which holds distinctive significance for the character of the house, is located in the patio. Once again, the vertical pattern of the staircase, consisting of steel stripes, creates a dynamic display of light and direction.