Description

The first phase of the coastal development in Huizen consists of a series of duplex and single-family row houses, all facing north towards the water. To the south, the homes overlook private gardens and include a sunroom on the ground floor.

The panorama units in the duplex homes are the most distinctive element in this design. Although the lot is only 6 m wide, the clever stacked layout of the two duplex units makes it possible for each unit to have a living area stretching across 12 m, that is, across the full width of both lots. The continuous ribbon of windows offers a spectacular view of the Gooi Sea.

While the living area of one apartment, on the second or third floor, occupies nearly the entire floor area on that level, space for a bedroom with bathroom and stairs is retained in one of the building wings. The recesses in the fabric allow sunlight to fall into the fully glazed kitchen on the south side and also create a kind of open courtyard at the entrance area. Cars are parked directly below the house. Generous roof terraces top the structure; the roof area also offers options for expansion. The single-family row houses with more conventional floor plans utilize the staggered design so that the oriel windows are oriented toward the water and the landscaped beach promenade.

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Originally published in: Oliver Heckmann, Friederike Schneider (eds.), Floor Plan Manual Housing, fourth revised and expanded edition, Birkhäuser, 2011.