Photos: Studio de Nooyer
Converted Warehouse
For a private investor, Firm converted a
215 square meter part of this 120-year-old
Warehouse on one of the busiest harbors
in the Port of Rotterdam. The poorly lit
space combined with a north-facing
facade with just a few windows meant the
owner needed to be visionary in order to
perceive a bright and well usable office
space. It is this capacity combined with the
architectural aspirations and the open mind
of the investor that ultimately have led to a
strong collaboration with the architects and
thoughtful design.
The architects started their architectural task
by researching the maximum number and
size of possible new openings in the façade.
All in close contact with the monuments’
committee of the municipality. After securing
the right to open-up the old window openings
in the facade and add new windows and
doors, the possibility to create a well-lit space
was conceived. To further enhance this, Firm
architects decided to disconnect the new
interior from the old walls. This appearance
of the design is somewhat subtracted from
the original shell, the old brick walls has a
dual purpose; it creates architectural contrast
and it ensures the minimal north-facing
daylight to flow in across both levels as the
architects bridged the half meter between the
interior and the outer wall with a glass floor
over the full width of the facade. Furthermore,
they added mirrors on the walls on both
levels to enhance this effect.
In the interior, the design principle of
subtracting the new from the old creates
an enriched dialogue between the original
building and its novice function. This is
strengthened by technical material usage
in the new interior such as aluminum wall
paneling and a stainless steel kitchen. The
wood paneling forms a volume embracing
the large central vide and ensuring a perfect
acoustic for an office.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Official name of the project: Converted
warehouse ZZ21
Location: Koningin Wilhelminahaven ZZ 21
Client name: ZZ21 BV
Architects/designers: Niek Joanknecht
Project Manager: Niek Joanknecht
Budget: €240.000
End of the project date: 02/2019
Dimension: 210 m2
Sold price – £800,000
www.firmarchitects.com
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