Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Facade, WindowsCorner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Windows, FacadeCorner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Table, Chair, WindowsCorner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Windows, FacadeCorner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - More Images+ 10

Text description provided by the architects. In Leiden (Netherlands), private commissioning was chosen for the development of the residential area Nieuw Leyden on the former slaughterhouse site. For the house in the corner plot that the studio Sophie Valla Architects was asked to design, the corner was chosen as starting point and inspiration. The end result offers the inhabitants an unexpected sense of space and changing views.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Facade, Windows
© Luuk Kramer

For this high density area bordering the city centre, MVRDV in Rotterdam conceived a master plan based on a double ground level: closed building blocks on half sunken parking-lots. This allowed for a densely built neighbourhood, but green and with little traffic. A common coordinator, contractor and advisors worked on each building block. Then each plot owner was able to design his house according to his own needs and wishes.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Windows, Facade
© Luuk Kramer

The house was built for a young family. From the beginning, the value of the corner position of the plot was fully exploited. The clients were extensively involved in the conception and building process, watching over and nourishing the tectonic quality of the design.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Table, Chair, Windows
© Luuk Kramer

The lateral façade of the house ending the block presents an intriguing and dynamic play of lines and volume. This is brought about by shifts in the orientation of the façade at each of the three floors. A 'transformation' of the geometry of the front and back façades over the length of this side is thereby created. Four supporting columns in the house are freeing the lateral façade from its load bearing function, enabling this free play.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Windows, Facade
© Luuk Kramer

The horizontal transformation is accompanied over the whole façade by a vertical articulation of the surface panelling and of the window frames.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Countertop, Chair
© Luuk Kramer

The high and narrow windows on this wall not only emphasise the vertical articulation; from the inside they also give clearly framed views while their form limits the possibility of looking in.

Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects - Image 6 of 15
© Luuk Kramer

On the ground floor, bordered by a pedestrian street and the park, is a playroom for the children. The living space is on the first floor. The large window at the front looks into the park, creating a spacious quality inside and offering interesting perspectives to the park.

Elevation

models

The tectonics gives the façade an intriguing movement and play of lines from the street and the park while creating a spacious quality inside and offering interesting perspectives to the outside.

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Cite: "Corner House in Leiden / Marc Koehler Architects + Sophie Valla Architects" 14 Jul 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/149836/corner-house-in-leiden-sophie-valla-architects-marc-koehler-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Luuk Kramer

在莱顿的角落建筑 / Marc Koehler Architects & Sophie Valla Architects

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