The project combines two houses into one big house. The concept of the new ‘Veemarktterrein’ neighbourhood in Utrecht promotes maximum diversity per individual house. Convincing the municipality to make one exception in the zoning plan by visually combining two lots into one was the hardest part of the ‘design’ process.
Project name: Big House
Architecture Firm: Goldsmith Company
Website: http://goldsmith.company/
Instagram: goldsmith_company
Location: Livarstraat 17/18, Utrecht
Completion: 12 2018
Program & size: 540m2
Client: private
Photography: Ruben Dario Kleimeer
By making one extra wide double house GOLDSMITH precisely addressed this aim of specificity: one ‘Goliath’ between a row of individual ‘Davids’. The 14 meter wide facade of the house is essentially a stack of four glassed in storeys horizontally divided by five 60cm high steel beams.
These articulated white beams functionally shield the external luxaflex blinds, the ventilation openings and the upper window frames while at the same time are the house’s most prominent feature.
The only distinctions in the glass façade are made by various openable and sliding elements. By withdrawing the glass volume on the top floor and the volume in front of the house, a roof terrace and a and carport are made.
A single steel staircase enclosed by a compact faculty block form the heart of both homes. The simplicity of the architectural articulation spreading both lots certify a strong presence within the facades on the former Veemarktterrain,
GOLDSMITH
GOLDSMITH operates within the boundaries of architecture and urbanism. We try to solve complex spatial issues in the most direct and efficient manner. GOLDSMITH aims for simple, but significant solutions.
Website: http://goldsmith.company/
Instagram: goldsmith_company
Adres: Schiekade 189. unit 4.08
3013 BR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
