Modern Waterfront Villa With An Angular And Dynamic Geometry

At the center of Schiedam in The Netherlands there’s a piece of land with a rich history. It has an industrial background and is known for its eclectic mix of styles and structures. Here studio stats architecten designed and built a series of six beautiful villas as part of a larger project meant to transform this waterfront section of the city and to convert it into a residential area. This is one of the villas, a three-storey building with an unusual geometry. 

The back side of the villa has a very angular and eye-catching geometry
The back side of the villa has a very angular and eye-catching geometry

It was completed in 2019 and has a total living area of 280 square meters. The owners wanted it to be first of all very spacious, to offer uninterrupted views of the harbor and to have a nautical-inspired vibe. The design that the architects came up with is a very expressive one and that’s because rather than choosing a traditional layout for the first and second floor they went with a more angular approach. 

The street-facing facade is in comparison simpler and mostly closed off for added privacy
The street-facing facade is in comparison simpler and mostly closed off for added privacy
A beautiful green lawn surrounds the house and creating a fresh setting
A beautiful green lawn surrounds the house and creating a fresh setting
A large bookcase that covers the entire height of the villa was created for the owners' extensive book collection
A large bookcase that covers the entire height of the villa was created for the owners’ extensive book collection
Inside, the three floors have a very open and spacious feel and take full advantage of the views
Inside, the three floors have a very open and spacious feel and take full advantage of the views
The villa is one of six structures built here by the architects in order to transform this part of town into a modern residential hub
The villa is one of six structures built here by the architects in order to transform this part of town into a modern residential hub
The unique geometry of the floors creates a series of angular spaces such as this balcony
The unique geometry of the floors creates a series of angular spaces such as this balcony

Some of the spaces are rotated and this gives them these triangle-shaped floor plans which seamlessly combine with the rectangular overall layout. One of these spaces is a semi-enclosed balcony and another is a just an extension of the dining area, a glass-enclosed corner with magnificent views. 

The use of wood and metal for the exterior of the villa is a reference to the industrial sheds which used to cover this piece of land
The use of wood and metal for the exterior of the villa is a reference to the industrial sheds which used to cover this piece of land

These sharp corners give the villa a dynamic look and allow it to stand out and to have a modern expression. There’s a noticeable difference between the front and the back facades of the building. The street-facing side a more toned down and simple compared to the back side and a lot more covered up. Lots of wood, glass and metal were used as primary materials for the exterior of the villa, a reference to the industrial sheds which used to occupy this area and perfectly suited for this modern design.  

At the back, the villa opens onto an outdoor yard which is easily accessible
At the back, the villa opens onto an outdoor yard which is easily accessible
The first and second floors create a series of triangular overhangs which give the villa a dynamic look
The first and second floors create a series of triangular overhangs which give the villa a dynamic look
The backyard has a direct view over the harbor
The backyard has a direct view over the harbor
The triple-height bookcase and the staircase are combined into a hybrid structure
The triple-height bookcase and the staircase are combined into a hybrid structure