SubscribeSign In
j
Project posted by Jane Szita

Parksite Residence, Rotterdam

View 9 Photos
The kitchen and dining area and is surrounded by orange steps that function as seating. The dugout allows for a second level used for the bedrooms, which are housed in a polycarbonate "lightbox."
The kitchen and dining area and is surrounded by orange steps that function as seating. The dugout allows for a second level used for the bedrooms, which are housed in a polycarbonate "lightbox."
The home's different levels create a playful experience for the inhabitants. The concrete floor references the building’s past use as a garage for ambulances.
The home's different levels create a playful experience for the inhabitants. The concrete floor references the building’s past use as a garage for ambulances.
The "lightbox," seen from below, adds illumination and quirky interest to the space.
The "lightbox," seen from below, adds illumination and quirky interest to the space.
The living room is light and airy thanks to the glass wall and doors (formerly a solid wall) framing the parkland greenery outside.
The living room is light and airy thanks to the glass wall and doors (formerly a solid wall) framing the parkland greenery outside.
The whole rear of the home is open to the parkland setting, thanks to the glass wall and terrace.
The whole rear of the home is open to the parkland setting, thanks to the glass wall and terrace.
The bathroom is tucked inside the lightbox on the second level.
The bathroom is tucked inside the lightbox on the second level.
The plan of the Parksite residence.
The plan of the Parksite residence.
The section showing the dugout in orange. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
The section showing the dugout in orange. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!

From Jane Szita

A former ambulance garage may seem like an unusual option for a home, but in the hands of innovative Rotterdam design office Doepel Strijkers it proved to be an inspired choice. The strongest point of the 2,800-square-foot space, remodeled into a family home for clients Maarten Laupman and Simone Rots, is its location bordering a quiet park.

The rear wall was therefore replaced by an enormous glass window, opening the space to the greenery outdoors. The garage’s single level was restricting, but Doepel Strijkers solved this by adding a dugout in the middle of the building, creating the height needed for a second level and for the bedrooms, which are housed in a polycarbonate "lightbox."

The custom-built storage elements, kitchen, and stairs—all finished in bright orange polyurethane—link the dugout to the entrance (on the street side) and living room (on the park side). We tour the residence in our slideshow.