Perched high above Amsterdam within the prestigious De Hooch development, this 250-square-metre penthouse offered abundant light, generous proportions and panoramic views. The challenge was not to redefine the architecture, but to transform it into a tranquil family home that balanced openness with warmth and privacy.

One of the project's greatest constraints became one of its defining features. A substantial service shaft, positioned between the kitchen and living area, interrupted the natural flow of the apartment. Rather than concealing it, the volume was integrated into the architecture, becoming a bespoke wine cabinet on one side and a sculptural fireplace on the other. What began as a technical obstacle evolved into an element that organises the entire living space.

The arrival sequence was equally important. Entering directly from the private lift, residents pass through a carefully composed entrance hall before a bespoke pivot door reveals the main living area. This gradual transition creates a sense of retreat, allowing the energy of the city to give way to a calm and intimate interior.

Craftsmanship is expressed through discreet technical solutions. The Salvatori marble fireplace required concealed ventilation, achieved through precisely detailed shadow gaps above and below the television. Function remains invisible, allowing the architectural composition to remain pure.

Materiality introduces warmth without compromising the apartment's contemporary character. Exceptionally wide timber floorboards, sourced in France over a six-month period, establish a quiet sense of generosity, while nubuck wall panels and finely detailed oak joinery soften the clean architectural lines.

Inspired by the atmosphere of an elegant mountain retreat, the interior combines tactile natural materials with restrained detailing and integrated technology. The result is a home that feels both sophisticated and deeply comfortable—a peaceful refuge above the city, where architecture, craftsmanship and daily life exist in effortless balance.