Leiden, The Netherlands
GAAGA
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
V- HOUSE is a white stucco abstract looking house of which the V-shaped
roof is its most striking feature.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The roof is constructed of wood and is modeled after a common
saddle roof, the only difference being that the top is turned downwards, resulting in a dip at the centre of the house.The roof is an important constituent of the architecture. From the outside, the V-shaped roof gives the house its distinguishing appearance and from the inside, it vitalizes and intensifies the interior space.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The house covers a practically square area and consists of two floors. On the outside there is no clear distinction between the floors; the façade is composed as an unambiguous whole with a cluster of windows in the middle. From the inside though, each floor has a typical program and spatial lay-out.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The top floor accommodates the living, dining and kitchen area. This area is one open space, with a varying height of 2.8 meters at the centre to 4.1 meters at the edges. At the front corner of the floor a large void is situated. This vacant space not only links the upper floor to the ground floor, it also creates an L-shaped floor plan.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The freestanding bearing wall at the inner corner of the “L“, together with the dip in the roof, divides the space in two: the kitchen and void on the left side and the living and dining area on the right. In this way the kitchen area is subtle separated from the sitting area.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg
Click above image to view slideshow |
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The interior and outward vistas, resulting from a well thought-out positioning of openings (windows, roof lights, void, and openings between the bearing wall and façade), evoke a sense of openness and spaciousness. In addition to this the use of natural materials like stone and wood contributes to an informal and friendly atmosphere.
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Photo © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg
Click above image to view slideshow |
The ground floor accommodates different functions which are zoned in adjacent strips parallel to the partition walls. The strip in the middle accommodates the stairway, the corridor, and also the entrance hall, where a view is presented to the garden, the street, the void and the roof. Through the corridor the two other strips are opened up: at the right side a strip designated for private rooms like bedrooms and bathroom and on the left side a more than three meter wide strip accommodating a large polyvalent space. Because of the void overlapping this space, there is a strong visual relation with the kitchen and sitting area on the top floor.
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floor plans--drawing © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
Furthermore, the large window situated at the top of the front façade and the casement doors at the back façade provide a view of the sky and the closed garden respectively. These interior and outward vistas in combination with the natural light coming in from above (roof lights, top window) make the space intriguing, poetic and serene.
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sectins--drawing © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
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axo structure--drawing © Courtesy of Marcel van der Burg Click above image to view slideshow |
The people
Architects: GAAGA
Location: Leiden, The Netherlands
Team: Esther Stevelink and Arie Bergsma
Project Year: 2010
Contractor: Verbeij Bouw, Boskoop
Structural Engineering: IMD, Rotterdam
Photographs: Marcel van der Burg
Note>>Location in this map, It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
