Dike house on the Rotte

A merged semi-detached house on one of the most beautiful spots in Rotterdam

Right on the Rotte River near the Bergse plassen stands this former semi-detached house of over 100 years old. Falling in love with the idyllic spot and adorable dyke house, our clients decided to take on the adventure.

Although the new home was to be an amalgamation of the two existing homes, the size remained limited. To answer this, we designed a large, tall addition to the back and side of the house. The addition takes advantage of the height difference in the lot, allowing you to descend from the house into the addition with two steps. The annex provides space for the dining room and kitchen, an ensuite playroom and to the side of the house the entrance with checkroom.

Also on the second floor, the space of the original house was limited, which was solved by creating a floor-to-ceiling dormer that sits partially on top of the new addition. The dormer offers space for two bedrooms and children’s bathroom, each with wide views of the garden and adjacent seepage waters of the Rotte River.

The design chose to clearly distinguish the addition and original home. The house has been (re)fitted with facade insulation with stucco, with all the window frames also replaced and partially relocated. The original detailing of the surrounding woodwork has been left intact or restored as much as possible. The addition was given a contrasting materialization, with the warm tones of the Nobelwood cladding, clean lines of an aluminum canopy and slim steel window frames. The canopy also accommodates the hidden awning.

Internally, the house has been given a surprising layout, with beautiful sightlines, vistas, small height differences and as much integrated storage space as possible. The garden-adjacent kitchen in the addition is sleekly detailed and takes full advantage of the height. In the original home itself, warmer materials and a more cozy atmosphere were chosen. The spacious study on the first floor also serves as a guest room by means of a full-size fold-away bed.

The second floor accommodates three bedrooms, one with a spacious ensuite closet and bathroom overlooking the Rotte River. The bedrooms share a central landing that runs around the new staircase.

FOAM designed and supervised this project from beginning to end; sketch design, permit applications and the necessary foundation repair to the elaboration of the kitchen and custom interior.

Photography: Nicoline Rodenburg