The KNSM Island in Amsterdam is an interesting mix of leftover dockland industrial units, and redeveloped and repurposed buildings, all orientated around a late 1980s masterplan by local architect Jo Coenen. One of these preserved buildings is an old canteen, which has since been transformed into a number of individual housing units
Photography: Marcel van der Burg
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Marc Koehler architects' 'House Like Village' project attempts to capture the zeitgeist of the island by imagining the residential space as a set of many microcosms
These have been manifested in the design as smaller 'clusters', cube shaped volumes within the main residential unit
Storage spaces are hidden in the same style behind white painted or wooden doors
Koehler worked closely with the clients (a young couple with one new-born) and established a design that can be easily extended if needed by way of additional volumes
A fireplace helps to heat the main living area
The vast interior is blessed with outstanding views of the harbour and abundant natural light, thanks to two completely glazed facades
Furnishings are minimal and clean
The cubes - supporting a kitchen, study and dining area above - are all playfully connected by bridges
A panel slides away to reveal storage space
A walk-in wardrobe
One of the cubes contains a child's bedroom on the lower level
A clean-lined kitchen on the upper level
The dining area
Atop another of the cubes is a study
Industrial-style lighting illuminates the walkway
One of the bedrooms
The contrast between the existing, exposed roof structure and the experimental layout reflects the island's evolution and heritage
