CASA T

Transforming a museum into a house


In 2010 the former Kralings Museum at the Hoflaan was transformed into a luxury apartment building. The building contains three apartments with a common entrance and a lift giving access to the upper floors. Casa T is the apartment on the first floor and encompasses an area of 215 m2 and a terrace of 35 m2.

The assignment was to adapt the existing format to a new configuration consisting of two new bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and an open office. The latter also offers more light into the apartment. The new plan provides a clear distinction between day and night functions: two-thirds is for day use while one-third contains the sleeping quarters.
The character of the apartment underwent a major change by breaking open the existing space. Due to the repositioning of the three new functions, sight lines were created. Two sight lines connect the front and rear, and the windows at both ends reinforce the spatial effect.
The third sight line is created by the hall running the width of the apartment, ending in the living room.As a consequence, the office has become part of the living room, and the additional daylight emanating from the office presents a beautiful space in which an additional sitting area has been created. Although the study is part of the living room, it nevertheless offers sufficient privacy.

The property is reached via stairs and by an elevator with access in the hallway. At the back are the master bedroom, a closet and the completely redesigned main bathroom. The living room offers entrance to a large balcony, and from the bedroom there is access to a small balcony. The former L-shaped kitchen was made into a U-shape, and the adjoining storage area was transformed into a pantry and a small guest bathroom.
The apartment’s honeycombed wooden floor, awnings and classic hardware give the apartment a modern look with a classic atmosphere and establish the apartment’s singular identity on the block.

Location Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Client confidential
Design PEÑA architecture
Architect Gabriel Peña
Builder STV, Rotterdam
Electrician Hoffman Elektro BV, Bergambacht
Photography Maarten Laupman
Gross area 215 m2 living and 35 m2 terrace
Status delivered 2014

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