*체육관을 주거로 리모델링 [ eklund_terbeek ] The Gym Loft

체육관과는 별개의 거주공간이지만, 이전 체육시설이 있던 학교 건물을 새로운 주거공간으로 리모델링하면서 자연스레 지금의 이름이 연속되었다. 두개층으로 구성된 주거공간은 대형 홀과 같은 저층부에 거실과 주방을 포함한 공용공간을 배치하고, 개인침실과 욕실을 상층부에 배치하였다. 두개의 공간을 연결하는 계단은 캔틸레버 구조의 독특한 디자인으로 간결한 내부공간에 미묘한 긴장감을 유발시킨다.

The Gym Loft is a minimal house located in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, designed by eklund_terbeek. The Gym House is situated in the gymnastics building of an early 20thcentury school complex in Rotterdam North. The dwelling, for a family of four, consists of the ground floor gym room and an adjacent hallway and storage zone. Starting point for the design was the limitations of the site in terms of light and privacy, and the exceptional dimensions of the main space. The ceiling height of more than five meters offered possibilities for adding new intermediate floors and more intimate areas. Due to the preservation of a large existing mural on the façade opposite the entrance, the possibilities for adding windows was limited, and with two facades facing the street, privacy was an issue.

The spatial organization is largely determined by the decision to situate the main living area by the large front façade windows, while at the same time realizing a direct connection to the garden through a series of new openings and placing bedrooms where it was possible to add windows. A closed box containing the individual private spaces is placed in the double height space. The children’s quarter on the ground floor has two separate, partly double height bedrooms and a shared walk-through playroom and bathroom. On top of the children’s area the calm and secluded master bedroom with en suite bathroom is situated. Stepping out of the master suite, a balcony with a small lounge area provides an overview over the living space. The living room podium creates a lookout spot on level with the original windows, and doubles as an xxl work desk and a storage unit. From here, the entresol balcony can be reached via a large floating stair. A second hidden stair behind the kitchen creates a fast sneak route and a circular promenade through the dwelling.

The extraordinary dimensions of the space required a few large gestures. The original load-bearing beams have been exaggerated in size, and together with the balcony, the podium and the kitchen island they form a dynamic composition of horizontal elements that tie the different parts of the dwelling together, emphasize sightlines and encourage movement through the space. The materialization of the apartment is characterized by a light and soft color scheme with graphic accents. Walls, ceiling and beams are rendered white and the ceiling is partly clad in sound insulating boards which adds texture and gives the large space a pleasant acoustic. Interior elements, such as the oversized floating stair and wall panels in oak wood provide warmth and a sense of continuity. The long kitchen island with its white carrara marble countertop adds subtle shades of white and light grey. Upstairs in the master bedroom, the oak floor is complemented by the travertine marble in the en suite bathroom.
Photography by René de Wit

from leibal