Woerden Terrace Apartment

The commission to modernize this apartment at the top of a townhouse in the centre of Woerden resulted in a design that merges the three existing rooms at the rear of the first floor into a single, generous kitchen–living space. This new space opens onto a spacious, sun-drenched roof terrace.

The connection between the kitchen and the terrace is maximized by three full-height, steel-framed pivot doors in the facade, which can open completely to the outside. The hardwood floor of the interior extends seamlessly onto the terrace, further reinforcing the continuity between inside and outside.

The kitchen is enclosed by a bespoke, built-in storage element that combines open shelving, closed cupboards, and a fireplace. At the heart of the space stands a five-metre-long solid wood table, which functions both as dining table and work surface.

The open shelving is conceived as a cabinet of curiosities and works of art, often consisting of mementos from the clients’ travels. Tall, dark, and veneered, the shelves are lined with books and exotic objects, lending the kitchen–living area a refined and sophisticated character.

Shade and privacy on the terrace are created by an overhead screen of hardwood slats, made from the same timber as the parquet flooring and terrace deck. In combination with the hot tub, the screen lends the terrace the atmosphere of a country residence, despite its location in the heart of the city.

The edges of the terrace are defined by solid, bespoke concrete elements. Executed in prefabricated exposed concrete, these elements span the full depth and width of the terrace and serve simultaneously as space dividers, benches, and planters. Over time, climbing and cascading plants will colonize these elements, gradually transforming the terrace into a lush, secluded oasis.