Tiny Penthouses 02 - Amsterdam, Stedelijk

Indoor space with a large wall made of rounded rocks, a platform on the wall with glowing lights, and a projection of a blueprint on the floor. Exposed brick and industrial elements are visible.
A model of a futuristic skyscraper with a hand placing small miniatures on the rooftop, labeled as part of a plan for tiny penthouses in Amsterdam, with the title 'Vers la "Tiny Penthouses" 2' and 'Une nouvelle ville au dessus une existante ville' by Hedwig Heinsman.
Hanging lamp with a textured black shade, against a background of stacked blue and white ceramic or stone objects with small light dots.
A close-up view of blue foam pool noodles stacked together, with some reflections of light visible on their surface.
A floor plan of a house projected onto the floor with a pile of blue foam pool floats stacked against the wall nearby.
Contemporary art installation in a gallery space featuring a hanging woven blue art piece and a white floor with a white rectangular outline containing a pattern of markings.
Robotic machine with wires and components working on a 3D-printed blue object with bubble-like texture.

TINY PENTHOUSES 02, 2024-2025

In the 1920s, Le Corbusier envisioned Plan Voisin for Paris, aiming to replace a significant portion of central Paris with high-rises to drastically improve living conditions. A century later, a comparably radical plan emerges for Amsterdam. Unlike the demolition-focused approach of the past, this plan builds atop the existing urban fabric, introducing a fleet of Tiny Penthouses.

By embracing the plan, the Stedelijk museum could acknowledge its own public role and societal responsibility, igniting discussions on the Dutch housing crisis. Since how can art flourish without available homes for art students in the city? In doing so, it sets a precedent for other public institutions, inspiring them to take proactive steps.

The Tiny Penthouses honor both the historic Stedelijk building by architect Adriaan Willem Weissman and the modern addition by Benthem Crouwel. Embracing a familiar silhouette, the homes seamlessly engage with the existing roof lights.  Uniform in design for optimal building efficiency, each Tiny Penthouse is centered around a core housing a compact bathroom and kitchen. The bulbous facade, resembling oversized grapes, has a unifying character, yet upon closer inspection, reveals a unique design for each grape, just like the uniqueness of its inhabitants.

Despite their modest 50 m2 footprint, the central configuration of the Tiny Penthouses allows for very diverse floorplans, making them versatile spaces for work, exhibitions, or accommodating two students. A mezzanine, complete with an optional roof light, crowns the core, serving as a flexible area for a bedroom or additional storage. Strategically positioned wide north-facing windows bathe the interiors in ideal light for artistic pursuits, while the more enclosed south-facing façade provides ample shade during the summertime heat on the rooftop.

The Tiny Penthouses are designed with a material lifecycle in mind, and can reincarnate after use into newer, smarter structures that adapt to changing demands.

The public swiftly would embrace the row of houses, endearingly labeling it ‘the Kitkat.’

 

 

Black and white aerial view of a modern train station with a large glass facade, surrounding historic buildings, and a park area with benches and pathways.