Nature7 Brick S brick contributes to authenticity of new residential complex

Ode to the construction of houses in the 19th century on Noordsingel in Rotterdam

The design for the Noordsingel Lofts in Rotterdam came about out of amazement at the missed opportunity to make the most of a beautiful spot on the corner of Noordsingel and Tollenstraat in the Oude Noorden district. The spot – part of the protected cityscape of Noordsingel – is close to the centre of Rotterdam and part of the Oude Noorden district.

Artisan architects (based near to the location) asked themselves how people would want to live in such a prominent location. The result – 3 apartments, 3 townhouses and a restaurant unit – is based on the existing building which was demolished a few years ago. The design is a contemporary interpretation of the original buildings. The mass is virtually the same.

The late 19th century building which has since been demolished had a striking tower on the corner. This element was featured in the design as a landmark for the (existing) block. The mass of the design is realised on the ground floor in natural stone while the upper floors are constructed using ornamental plaster. The houses that have replaced the old school were built with contemporary brickwork produced using the Hand-Made NATURE7 Brick S facing brick.

This brick with subtle shading is in the ecological Brick7 format which has a shallow depth. The brickwork provides an attractive contrast with the adjoining building. The detailed finish of the recessed windows with window frames set behind the brickwork also gives the building the desired plasticity.

The apartments have a modern layout. With 1 home per floor, which is served by a lift, these are certainly luxury apartments. The traffic area has been kept to a minimum and the rooms made as large as possible. The living room and kitchen are located on the Noordsingel side. This allows the homes to make the most of the wonderful view of the green Noordsingel. The clearance height of approximately 3 metres enhances the ‘loft feel’. Each apartment has a large outside space in the form of a balcony or roof terrace.

All the townhouses have an entrance door on Tollensstraat. A 4-storey house and a 2-storey apartment provide room for young urban families. On the corner at ground level, there is an espresso/wine bar. This has immediately become a new hotspot in the Oude Noorden district.

The apartments and houses have also been constructed as if they were individual houses, partly due to the expertise of the contractor. All the basic floor plans were adjusted in line with the purchasers’ requirements. Each home has a different level of finishing, chosen by the purchaser in each case. The design of the houses on the courtyard side is completely different. Here, the decision was made to leave the structural façade in view. The façade consists of insulated hollow walls which can remain untreated. This concrete is a reference to the rear façades in Rotterdam residential blocks from the early 20th century which are (partly) finished with a layer of grey mortar to make the façades watertight.

See the floor plans