A 1930s Industrial Space Transformed Into A Beautiful Family Home

There’s a lovely family house in Amsterdam with a pretty cool story and we’re about to have a closer look at it. The house enjoys a prime location at the center of the city and it didn’t actually always used to be a place to live in. It was originally built in the 1930s and it functioned as a hardware store and later as a garage. In 2020 architecture studio Barde+vanVoltt made the final change, converting into a beautiful home for a family of four. 

The materials and finishes used in the interior design are naturally durable and have a genuine appearance
The materials and finishes used in the interior design are naturally durable and have a genuine appearance
The wall texture adds warmth to the decor and coordinates nicely with the concrete floors
The wall texture adds warmth to the decor and coordinates nicely with the concrete floors

As you can imagine, transforming this structure into a suitable living space was a real challenge. The biggest issue was the fact that since the building was not meant to engage a lot with the exterior, it was very dark and gloomy on the inside. Bringing natural light into what would later become a cozy home became the main priority. In total, this place covers a 100 square meter area which made it possible for the architects to divide it into a series of common and private areas that feel quite open and airy. 

The interior decor shows a preference for simple and authentic materials and finishes
The interior decor shows a preference for simple and authentic materials and finishes
The kitchen features wooden furniture and a beautiful quartzite counter with a matching sink
The kitchen features wooden furniture and a beautiful quartzite counter with a matching sink

It was important for the new interior design to make this place feel inviting and comfortable but at the same time a decision was made to seek inspiration in the building’s industrial past. As a result, the array of materials used throughout the transformation were chosen for their durability and their ability to bridge the gap between the past and the present. The original concrete floors were preserved and incorporated into the new design along with natural clay walls, warm wooden accents and metal elements that introduce a retro-industrial flair into the new decor. 

The bathroom features an industrial-looking metal tub and brushed copper fixtures
The bathroom features an industrial-looking metal tub and brushed copper fixtures
Glass interior walls and partitions ensure that all the rooms are filled with natural light
Glass interior walls and partitions ensure that all the rooms are filled with natural light
The new design was partially inspired by the building's industrial past
The new design was partially inspired by the building’s industrial past