duplex studio in Antwerp, Belgium

[kwistenbiebel]

Hi all,

Here my latest designproposal for a duplex studio at ground level that will be part of the renewal of an existing row house. The building will contain 4 small appartments/studios.

The client is a friend of me that wants to invest in a "pied-a-terre" in Antwerp.
Studio Surface: appr. 70 m2

The bedroom is situated in the duplex. At first i wanted the bedroom to be open towards the living area, but the client insisted on giving it privacy but still with the capability of 'peeping' into the sitting area. So i came up with the "eye" concept.
The eye is a disc that revolves on a vertical axis in the middle, serving as a sort of window to the rest of the interior.

The kitchen tablet is prolongued into the living area and ends as a shelve and works as step up for the open stairs.

I am still undecided on materials of the "sleeping box": The picture of the eye will be a printed on canvas since i want it to have texture.
Not sure if the green surfaces work (glossy paint). As an alternative i could use black burnt steel. Maybe you guys can help me on that.

Picture: existing front facade (sorry for the bad foto **damn truck**:bang head , i will replace it later on with a better one).

[kwistenbiebel]

existing ground floor plan

[kwistenbiebel]

proposal :plan ground floor

(Still have to update the plan to the latest proposal, but it gives the overall scheme).

[kwistenbiebel]

proposal: the duplex floor (bedroom + bathroom).

[kwistenbiebel]

The actual proposal in SU

[kwistenbiebel]

Longitudinal section

.....don't mind the railing on the stairs...it's gone

[kwistenbiebel]

'drunk' view towards the inner space.

The 'eye' is a peephole for the bedroom: a revolving disc

[kwistenbiebel]

view from sofa....

[kwistenbiebel]

view from table/dining area.....

[kwistenbiebel]

view from the kitchen annex to living area..

In the existing situation this was an outdoor space. I just filled it in with glass underneath the overhang which are existing annexes (old toilets, bathrooms) on upper floors.

Window profiles aren't meant to be so dark...i 'll probably use anodised alu.

[kwistenbiebel]

other view towards the sleeping box with the 'eyecather' ;)....

[kwistenbiebel]

last view taken from sitting area.

The revolving eye has a kind of 'Mona Lisa' effect.

It is my goal to take the picture of my friends eye for the canvas.
'Personalised' architecture...:)

I am ok with the overall scheme.
However: as it comes to materials and the independancy of the sleeping volume (the green/steel plate etc...) it all has too much 'nineties' feeling to it.

Maybe i have to change the material palette.
Your C&C is always welcome about that.

Later on i will post more stuff. I still have to propose it to the client/friend.

[trogers]

its the eye hairs that have me creeped out...

very pure, simple space. not for me, but it seems very "eyecatching"...

got a catchy name for the project?

[Tim]

First feeling was.. SUPER!!:not worth I like the way the stairs and the desk are made as one.. makes me think of pawson's designs.
When I saw the eye, whow great, nice approach.

But after i while looking at it I also felt a bit scary. Like the eye was constantly watching at me. Maybe not that comfortable in a living room.

[kwistenbiebel]

First feeling was.. SUPER!!:not worth I like the way the stairs and the desk are made as one.. makes me think of pawson's designs.
When I saw the eye, whow great, nice approach.

But after i while looking at it I also felt a bit scary. Like the eye was constantly watching at me. Maybe not that comfortable in a living room.

I have the same feeling about the eye being overwhelming . I think i have to work on the image to make it softer or a bit more abstract.

......
oh those eyes.....:rolleyes:

[Tim]

I played a bit with the eye in ps

[arv]

SUper job Kwiesten :not worth :not worth
Very clean and bold . I am a bit skeptical about the 'eye in the sky ' following you all the time .
The shelf running all the length is great but I would make the first step the same as the shelf .

PS You can try putting cows on the walls :D

[digdoi]

I say keep the eye as real as possible. I think it's a great play, specially thinking about your idea of using the owner's eye.
It's the main focus for me, and making it softer or abstract will take the strenght of the proposal (very well done, by the way).

Congratulations! :not worth :not worth :not worth

[sigue2000]

The shelf running all the length is great but I would make the first step the same as the shelf .

I'd go the other way and inset a step into the shelf so that they intersect.
Another fine project by you Kwisten. I'm not quite sure about the eye yet. I guess its for the client to decide if its scary or not.

[primocordara]

very intimidating to make out on that couch!... unless your'e exhibicionist of course...
Why not use some kind of Roy Lichtenstein eye, to make it more abstract and add colours..?

[fmolanphy]

the eye is still a weird thing to get used to...like the concept behind it....would you think an abstract representation of it could work? maybe adding some "sculpting"..
also, I feel the transition between the living space and dinning area is a little low...it might be visual perception only, so, is there a way this can be made to look as there is more height in between the space? thanks.

[takesh h]

Love the big eye. It could be even bigger, I think. The size is very important.
Little eyes sould be eliminated...they are paintings or photography, not "environment".
I played around with the stair too, following sigue's path.
Just thought that box shape sitting on the floor was a little awkward...

No you shouldn't quit architecture, kwisten!

[digdoi]

I played around with the stair too, following sigue's path.
Just thought that box shape sitting on the floor was a little awkward...

I like the box! (seems I disagree with everyone else here...:D ).
I always use this type of solution in my interior projects. Check this two recent ones (not trying to hijack...)

[Tim]

takesh.. I'm don't really agree with you on the point of the stairs.

I think for someone who lives there I wouldn't be any problem to use your stairs. But if you have a visitor and he would need to go upstairs. The different material of the "tablet" could be a problem to find the beginning of the stairs.

I agree that the white stair is a bit akward positioned but it indicated where the stair starts.. maybe using the same material for both could solve this.

[takesh h]

Yes, Fabio, Tim, I hear you!
I do "little something else to start a stair" solution often too Fabio, and your idea (especially one at bottom) works well.
I just didn't feel right with the way kwisten put the box on the floor in the relation with the long shelf board...proportionally, compositionally.
I also thought the long shelf is kind of becomming too idealistic.
It has to break itself somewhere, show the section, starts to take another form, another function (that's just my opinion, of course).
kwisten did it in one way, mine is just an alternative. We Japanese have a long tradition of "double staggered shelves", you know.

[kwistenbiebel]

@digdoi and takesh,
about the stairs,I think both viewpoints are worth taking in consideration. I will definitely look into that.


Oh man,....I love this forum so much.The kind remarks and C&C all the members
post really inspire me.
Some of you think that the 'eye' concept tends to be spooky.
This made me rethink the graphics. I don't want to loose the 'trompe l'oeil' effect
though.
The revolving eye 'disc' is now replaced by a revolving 'door' with a stair.

The new graphics give the following 'Esher' mind game:
The real stairs seem to go nowhere (no door?=sliding panel).
The fake stairs (=picture) go to a 'real door' (revolving panel).

I like this!
Curious though about your comments on this :o

By the way, in this last proposal the green is replaced by black burnt steel. This way it accords to the B&W photo to make the volume a whole.

Here it is:

[sigue2000]

Hey Kwist, I admire your attitude towards graphics in architecture. I like the idea with the door and fake stairs. It reminds of the 'Singletapete' (http://www.single-tapete.de/htmlsite/english/start.html) wallpaper. Has more of the old cow humor.

[digdoi]

Wow! It definitely made me smile.:)
But...
I'm afraid maybe the stairs is more a "one time impact". The eye still seems to me like a more perennial graphic play, something I'll be always amazed when looking at. Just my impression.

Anyway, I looooove the good mood of your designs!
Keep up the great work!
:not worth :not worth :not worth

[imasayer]

Kwisten,

Shots 11 and 12 do it for me. I like the simple clean lines, and the graphics. The 2 stairs is too much. Nice work, love this little project! I love that you bring a little bit of playfulness to a style which seems to take itself much to seriously.

I personally would like to see the eye abstracted a bit, more like and icon than an actual photo. Maybe something pixelated like comic book print. I'll see if I can find a picture of what I am talking about.

[arv]

The man's got sense of humour ;) .
These stairs remind me of Charles Correa's work in Hotel Cidade de Goa . The whole place is full of painted illusions , openings , balconies , people , that are painted on . Here is an image.

[kwistenbiebel]

The man's got sense of humour ;) .
These stairs remind me of Charles Correa's work in Hotel Cidade de Goa . The whole place is full of painted illusions , openings , balconies , people , that are painted on . Here is an image.


Damn....just now that i am trying to escape from 'post-modernity'.
No no no.....there will be no Greek columns in my design, no sir! ;) ;) :P

[stironman]

another mindblowing work, kwistenbiebel!

personally, i'd like more the eye-print than the stair. The eye gives a more personal and 'cosy' feeling to the siting corner.

Perhaps i would articulate more the duplex bedroom by printing the foto only on the upper part of the wall:

As you said the plans on page 1 are not the latest version. May I ask wat happens with the space above the entrance hall?

[fmolanphy]

like the eye better than the stairs.

[primocordara]

Me too! now I am back with the eye!

[MICHEL]

Stairs are much more important than that eye... stick to the stai Kwist... your project will last forever... eye is kind of 'decoration'... not bad of course... but that could be changed rather easily compared to stairs...

[msr]

I like neither the eye or the graphic stairs.
I think you are better off concentrating on architectonic values.
I also think that these particular graphics are more at home in a shopping mall or at a convention display. They are gimmicky and would become tiresome quite quickly.

Find strength in simplicity.

[imasayer]

Stairs are much more important than that eye... stick to the satir Kwist... your project will last forever... eye is kind of 'decoration'... not bad of course... but that could be changed rather easily compared to stairs...

Maybe you should set up a poll if you really care what we think. Ultimately it is up to the client anyway. Will they like it? Do they like it? I think its cool and fun. Not a very intellectual analysis, but who would expect that from me anyways.

These responses are revealing more about the respondents than the project.

[flino]

I like the first scheme..I'd mix the two ideas in one....keep the stair where it is now and instead the round opening I'd design a balcony right there

very nice design!!!!

Fernando

[Andrew B]

This is some amazing stuff! I have one question though... How can you get away with having stairs without are railing and no real riser? I believe this would not meet code here in the US. In fact, I am sure.

[WilsonMetry]

kwisten, you do some of the most original work on this forum. :craqueur:


Once again, you push the boundaries of simplicity just to the edge, a complete thought and no more......well......except for your playfulness!! The graphics you infuse really are a point for discussion and I love that.

I like the eye but only because of the rotating door. But I think that super graphics like that will be changed one day, sooner rather than later. So the "stair" would be another play and I'm sure there are many many more because of the round rotating shape. I don't like the "stair" because it competes with your real stair and adds this whole other architectural aesthetic. That bothers me. Maybe an abstraction of circles, maybe the center of an flower, maybe the universe, maybe......

Admirable work, keep it up.

[WilsonMetry]

This is some amazing stuff! I have one question though... How can you get away with having stairs without are railing and no real riser? I believe this would not meet code here in the US. In fact, I am sure.

I know, its sad, isn't it?

[back2b]

I actually don't see what you see Frenchy Pilou.
Where's the "joke'?


Regarding the eye-issue...
I really can't understand why you are or were thinking of quiting the job of an architect, kwisten... no wait, actually I can.
I guess there are much better ways of giving shape to ones ideas than architecture.
Architecture-clients are (very often) quite conservative in what they want, because it has to last longer then other things.


Apart from that I don't agrree with 'msr'.
I really do appreciate, that you are not 'playing save' kwisten.
Simplicity is nice, but also kind of boring.

Nevertheless,
I really see the pros and cons of both the eye and the stair-image.
Personally I wouldn't go for the stairs, as the effect is just working from a very special perspective.
I rather like the eye but I am not so happy with the 'revolving window'.
I think it's cutting quite brutal into the image (maybe a smaler window just the size of the pupil? - but maybe that's too small...).

[wizum]

This is some amazing stuff! I have one question though... How can you get away with having stairs without are railing and no real riser? I believe this would not meet code here in the US. In fact, I am sure.

sure you can... you just have to be creative in what you are calling the element... "of course mister city official, its a shelving unit for plants... my wife/girlfriend loves plants"...

The point being that you don't point them out as being stairs, "officially"... but in reality they are... you have provided for an actual stair and means of egress to get you from one floor to the other... this kind of thing is done all the time... atleast I have seen it done many of times...

as for the eye thing... I think it would look great in a more public type of space... this design, the living room anyhow, has a museum-like feel to me rather than a residence... its an interesting idea... maybe if you just had a hint of the eye and not so bold... didn't someone meniton something to that effect earlier? anyhow, creative idea but in the end, I think its something that would be just too bold and I would be suprised to see a client except it... but who knows :)

[thinkbuild]

whats up with all the erasing?

anyway, i agree with those above who say that the eye is "too much" - i guess it is an issue of graphics of representation vs. graphics of metaphor. i think it might look very elegant to join eye and door (as one of the proposals above) but to make it a panel which changes the color of the space. in this way, one can enter via an abstracted "eye" which, when activated, also changes the light/color, etc., in BOTH spaces. i also like very much the idea to have an off-center column on which to rotate the "eyelid" ...

finally, i also think that the stairs should not interfere with the shelf. let each do their job - you don't want shoes and dirt on the shelves nor do you want your imac G5 on your stiars. perhpas, it might look very elegant to simply have a shelf which breaks - stops, then allows the stair to pass. in this way there is no formal and use/program conflict.

you might make a simple shape - seek some abstraction and find a way to translate the "eye" into another, simpler form.

but, it is a very impressive project. i also appreciate your renderings - maxwell? with what machines, exactly? i am very curious about your "arbeitsprozess"

best from berlin

[_C3]

Oops! You did it again Kwisten.
Really interesting project that make people talk... That's the way to go man.
First I like the rotating eye idea, I like that circular shape. The effect is not that good with a square shape as in the second option (besides this last option is just too many stairs, busy-crowded feeling). I would actually maybe make this rotating piece out of sandbalsted glass (printed) to preserve the privacy but to let light through (besides imagine the light coming through the eye when the bedroom is lit). However if the eye thing is too much for the client, it's just a matter of choosing the right graphic as Wilson mentioned, I like the flower idea or an abstract work.
Second I don't see nothing wrong with those stairs, I wouldn't change anything there. And thinkbuild take off your shoes before going upstairs ;) .
Actually what is the width of the stairs, and the shelf? And what about the kitchen?
Keep it real dude :rock on:

[kwistenbiebel]

Oops! You did it again Kwisten.
Really interesting project that make people talk... That's the way to go man.
First I like the rotating eye idea, I like that circular shape. The effect is not that good with a square shape as in the second option (besides this last option is just too many stairs, busy-crowded feeling). I would actually maybe make this rotating piece out of sandbalsted glass (printed) to preserve the privacy but to let light through (besides imagine the light coming through the eye when the bedroom is lit). However if the eye thing is too much for the client, it's just a matter of choosing the right graphic as Wilson mentioned, I like the flower idea or an abstract work.
Second I don't see nothing wrong with those stairs, I wouldn't change anything there. And thinkbuild take off your shoes before going upstairs ;) .
Actually what is the width of the stairs, and the shelf? And what about the kitchen?
Keep it real dude :rock on:

I think i'll follow your advice and try that sandblasted/printed glazing idea.
Why not making the whole wall glazed with sandblasted print on it?
The only technical issue will be how to get that circular glazed surface to rotate.
...keeping the mechanism for rotating and the clamps as 'invisible' as possible.
....I have to check the DORMA map for some minimal solutions

[takesh h]

The new graphics give the following 'Esher' mind game:
The real stairs seem to go nowhere (no door?=sliding panel).
The fake stairs (=picture) go to a 'real door' (revolving panel).

I like this!
Don't think too much, kwisten. Follow your instinct, which in this case is the first thing came up to your mind's eye. ;)

[kwistenbiebel]

Don't think too much, kwisten. Follow your instinct, which in this case is the first thing came up to your mind's eye. ;)

Sometimes i get carried away....and see so so many options.
I will ZEN it out. ooooooooohhhmmmmmmmmm
:rolleyes:

[sigue2000]

....I have to check the DORMA map for some minimal solutions

Check Astec (http://www.astec-design.de/) also.:cheers:

[Juan Gomez-Velez]

I think i'll follow your advice and try that sandblasted/printed glazing idea.
Why not making the whole wall glazed with sandblasted print on it?
The only technical issue will be how to get that circular glazed surface to rotate.
...keeping the mechanism for rotating and the clamps as 'invisible' as possible.
....I have to check the DORMA map for some minimal solutions

Kwistenbiebel

Having many options is a blessing disguised as a curse. It creates dramatic tension. Good!

As for the idea of translucent or sandblasted glass, I feel that it allows for many different graphic propositions along the way while allowing for diffused lighting and latent privacy.

The revolving circular panel is wonderful, keep it as the common denominator and given condition to any or all future supergraphics. Besides, there is always the possibility of projecting images upon it, either from within or without, a wall projection screen like that described by Ray Bradbury in his book Farenheit 451. Few books.....maybe you have already read that book, and have hid it as well as all others from prying 'eyes'.

No need for the false staircase, the real one is so clean and poetic ( if somewhat scary).

Would you consider suspending it from above with very thin cables? This could create a delicate veil and a sense of secure enclosure without sacrificing your baywide perception of the living area. Just a thought.

Think out the lighting, it will help you make decisions along the way.

My two cents

Saludos

Juan

[Marr]

The bench going through the whole apartment is a brilliant feature IMO. The same element being used as a step in the stairs, a low shelf in the living-room, a desk in the dining-room and a kitchen. Absolutely brilliant. :rock on:
I like the circular rotating panel as well and I don't think you should make the whole wall translucent. But a do agree with that the eye graphics are a bit scary and should be toned down a bit. But I definitely think you should keep the eye idea and some kind of eye graphics. Just make it a little more subtle.:cheers:

[primocordara]

the sandblasted idea is great in my opinion! you could have colour leds to change the colour of the glass...

[coral]

kwistenbiebel, I love it. I love everything you post. To me you always come up with a great design that would be a completely valid answer in most modern design circles, and then you add in this twisted sense of humor, which is so sorely deficient in our business. It's inspiring, really.
The views with the eye look great to me, but I really think your client will either love it or be totally creeped out by it. I would think if you lived there, it would just fade into the background as you got used to it, and would serve mainly to spook their visitors. If they don't love it, there's probably a way to tone the idea down, make it less literal than an eye, and still come out with a great and fun solution.

Let us know what you end up deciding in terms of eye or something else, and it will be easier to comment in more detail.

[Hemma]

What does the client think of the eye? A lot of people seem intimidated by it, but at the end of the day, it comes back to the client's comfort with it.

[nandish]

Its interesting how you used the eye in your design. I would be really interested in knowing if your client has a "EYE" for accepting something different and innovative.

As for the design i think its too minimal. Im sure your client will ask for some storage somehwere. Anyways thats secondary and im sure you will work it out.

[chedda]

Great project the design is bold & innovative .I think the eye is down to the client, i think a lot of us are awaiting their view! The full length shelf and stairs are dynamic and could be exploited more maybe ?:rock on:

[sandropc]

Great work kwistenbiebel, the spacial solution is the best, the stairs, the space create inside is very well solved. I like the eye idea, the most soft Photoshop propossal is less invasive.I give you 5!!

[trogers]

I'm really curious, what did Frenchy say that got censored?

the idea of censorship is that we'll never know...

Looking good kwisten...I'll second what coral said. the eye is excellent, but it is something that will either have someone like it or not; there will be no middle ground.

Keep us posted.

[JesseJacob]

The stair idea is much better! :no no no:

[Frenchy Pilou]

...has some mood of Monsieur Z (http://www.monsieurz.com/):)
(architecture, pattern, design)

[susanmoses]

at the end of the day... it's a super sexy space!

[mseif_99]

hey guys....the beauty of the whole thing is the eye...whether it works for the owner or not....but the concept is the "peep" as KW. said...any oher solution will be an everyday seen ( trompe l'oiel ).....

[marc]

hey guys....the beauty of the whole thing is the eye...whether it works for the owner or not....but the concept is the "peep" as KW. said...any oher solution will be an everyday seen ( trompe l'oiel ).....

I totally agree. I really liked this project from the beginning, an awesome space. When I read the explanation for the eye (the peep hole from the bedroom to the living), it gave the it so much more meaning! This meaning and separates it form a gimmick, which I think the fake stair was. Don’t doubt yourself, there is merit in listening to the opinions of others, but you are a master… and your first response was great.

[rolo]

I think that the eye only in the upper part of the wall is better!!!