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Renovation merchant’s house Keizersgracht Amsterdam

Location: Keizersgracht Amsterdam
Surface: 3.121 m2
Activities: interior design, detailing, aesthetic execution supervision
Completed: October 2024
Energy Label: A++++
Photography: Wouter van der Sar, own photography
The ELISA 127 office building at Keizersgracht 125 and 127 in Amsterdam was recently completely renovated, restored and delivered to tenant RIVVIA, a provider of flexible workspaces. The two linked national monuments have been restored to their former glory and carefully transformed into high-quality and sustainable office spaces, while respecting the historical value of the complex.

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The overall project consists of five separate building sections that have clumped together over the centuries. With this renovation, the individual building sections have been made readable again. Where the building sections merge, the finish of the outer walls has been extended inside, light courts and voids have been brought back and the connecting elements are executed in full glass. Where wall penetrations have been realized, the new steel construction has been kept fully in sight, making these interventions clearly visible.
The constructions of floors/ceilings, walls and roof have often been made visible again, where in the existing situation they were completely hidden from view by insulation on the inside and a variety of paneling, Metal-Stud walls, plasterboard and suspended ceilings.
By insulating the exterior and removing all non-authentic paneling, a unique sample of historic architecture and building techniques from the past has become fully visible. For the finish, great care was taken to find an authentic color palette based on the analysis of the existing old paint layers found.

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The 2 properties were simultaneously built in the early 17th century on behalf of a sugar baker and his son-in-law and transformed, expanded, rebuilt and changed functions several times over the past centuries. Noteworthy is the overbuilt corridor that makes a direct connection between moat and back yard. That corridor in the 19th century allowed for the construction of warehouses and stables so that, for example, a horse, carriage and sleigh sales room could be established. This old overbuilt corridor is the new central axis in the complex from which the various parts of the complex can be accessed. By providing the corridor with a brick paving, among other things, the history becomes visible again. The staircase connected to the corridor is an important part of the complex. The richly detailed steel stairs entice visitors not to use the elevator.
Restoring a former light court from number 127 allows daylight to once again penetrate deep into the building and restores the original structure of the property. The light court features an all-glass roof.

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The attics of the buildings have been transformed from musty storage rooms to pleasant work spaces where the original roof structures have been restored, new and enlarged glass skylights make them open and light spaces.
A new integrated climate system has been incorporated into the monument, the air handling unit is installed in the basement, ducts and grilles have been built into old chimneys or hidden behind paneling wherever possible. In the former warehouses and attic, fresh air is distributed through sturdy perforated metal pipes.

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Want to know more about this project?

Contact Marleen Valstar by calling +31 20 627 01 62 or leave a message:

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