Transformation of a bike shed into a dwelling
Patio House
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in Amsterdam into a bright, spacious home. A central patio and sunken garden usher daylight deep into the basement, while oak wood walls and clean lines create a play of contrast and rhythm. In collaboration with Dot 2 Dot.
Program
Client
Location
Year
Status
Area
Photography
Residential
Private
Amsterdam
2025
Completed
500m²
Wouter van der Sar
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in the heart of Amsterdam into a remarkable family home, designed as an unexpected and layered world full of spatial experiences.
The former bicycle storage has been transformed into a home by adding extra daylight through a courtyard that extends to the basement. The garden is deepened with a sunken area, making the basement fully usable as a living space. This created an intimate, sheltered living environment with an inviting staircase and a light bridge connecting the spaces. The layout provides a clear hierarchy between living, sleeping, relaxing, hobbies, and working.
The existing concrete and brick structure is enriched with meandering oak walls that give the home rhythm and warmth. Their scenic effect continuously reveals new perspectives and contrasts with the straight, sharp walls, creating a play of tension and direction.
Patio House
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in Amsterdam into a bright, spacious home. A central patio and sunken garden usher daylight deep into the basement, while oak wood walls and clean lines create a play of contrast and rhythm. In collaboration with Dot 2 Dot.
Program
Client
Location
Year
Status
Area
Photography
Residential
Private
Amsterdam
2025
Completed
500m²
Wouter van der Sar
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in the heart of Amsterdam into a remarkable family home, designed as an unexpected and layered world full of spatial experiences.
The former bicycle storage has been transformed into a home by adding extra daylight through a courtyard that extends to the basement. The garden is deepened with a sunken area, making the basement fully usable as a living space. This created an intimate, sheltered living environment with an inviting staircase and a light bridge connecting the spaces. The layout provides a clear hierarchy between living, sleeping, relaxing, hobbies, and working.
The existing concrete and brick structure is enriched with meandering oak walls that give the home rhythm and warmth. Their scenic effect continuously reveals new perspectives and contrasts with the straight, sharp walls, creating a play of tension and direction.
Patio House
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in Amsterdam into a bright, spacious home. A central patio and sunken garden usher daylight deep into the basement, while oak wood walls and clean lines create a play of contrast and rhythm. In collaboration with Dot 2 Dot.
Program
Client
Location
Year
Status
Area
Photography
Residential
Private
Amsterdam
2025
Completed
500m²
Wouter van der Sar
Positive Space transformed a former bicycle storage in the heart of Amsterdam into a remarkable family home, designed as an unexpected and layered world full of spatial experiences.
The former bicycle storage has been transformed into a home by adding extra daylight through a courtyard that extends to the basement. The garden is deepened with a sunken area, making the basement fully usable as a living space. This created an intimate, sheltered living environment with an inviting staircase and a light bridge connecting the spaces. The layout provides a clear hierarchy between living, sleeping, relaxing, hobbies, and working.
The existing concrete and brick structure is enriched with meandering oak walls that give the home rhythm and warmth. Their scenic effect continuously reveals new perspectives and contrasts with the straight, sharp walls, creating a play of tension and direction.
The current state of the bicycle storage with its concrete structure.
The current state of the bicycle storage with its concrete structure.
The current state of the bicycle storage with its concrete structure.
By incorporating a wolf pit and a patio, space is created for natural daylight. Oak meandering walls across the width break away from the rigid grid, creating a theatrical effect.
By incorporating a wolf pit and a patio, space is created for natural daylight. Oak meandering walls across the width break away from the rigid grid, creating a theatrical effect.
By incorporating a wolf pit and a patio, space is created for natural daylight. Oak meandering walls across the width break away from the rigid grid, creating a theatrical effect.
Contrasting with the meandering walls, straight walls run from the front to the back façade, adding depth.
Contrasting with the meandering walls, straight walls run from the front to the back façade, adding depth.
Contrasting with the meandering walls, straight walls run from the front to the back façade, adding depth.
The open living spaces are interconnected through a double-height, vibrant green patio featuring a wide, custom-designed staircase and bridge.
The open living spaces are interconnected through a double-height, vibrant green patio featuring a wide, custom-designed staircase and bridge.
The open living spaces are interconnected through a double-height, vibrant green patio featuring a wide, custom-designed staircase and bridge.
The spatial highlight is the double-height inner garden with mature trees, traversed by a steel staircase and bridge. The living area seamlessly connects here via a brick arcade and a glass façade, offering both openness and coziness. Surrounding it, a round kitchen and circular seating area, along with the integrated playroom, enhance flexibility and daily use.
On the garden side, a new façade of brick and wood gives the residence an urban feel with a touch of New York. A wooden bay window and carefully placed cork oak denote personal use and add intimacy. The living program is further complemented by a cinema room, music studio, golf studio, and a wellness area in the master bedroom.
The result is a home where light, nature, and architectural layering come together into a playful and distinctive whole.
Meandering walls
The meandering oak walls form a warm, soft layer and twist across the width of the house, creating a theatrical effect: each step reveals a new space, always with a hint of surprise that invites exploration. The flowing forms contrast with the precise straight walls, which provide direction and clarity from front to back within the home. Together, they create a play of contrasts that makes the house layered, dynamic, and distinctively individual.
The wooden walls are finished with ribbed oak veneer, adding a tactile depth. To enhance the softness, the edges are sharply cut out of the walls, yet still made from oak. The thickness of the walls suggests mass and establishes a hierarchy over the concrete. Additionally, they offer space to subtly conceal all the piping, keeping the concrete ceilings maximally visible and high.
Meandering walls
The meandering oak walls form a warm, soft layer and twist across the width of the house, creating a theatrical effect: each step reveals a new space, always with a hint of surprise that invites exploration. The flowing forms contrast with the precise straight walls, which provide direction and clarity from front to back within the home. Together, they create a play of contrasts that makes the house layered, dynamic, and distinctively individual.
The wooden walls are finished with ribbed oak veneer, adding a tactile depth. To enhance the softness, the edges are sharply cut out of the walls, yet still made from oak. The thickness of the walls suggests mass and establishes a hierarchy over the concrete. Additionally, they offer space to subtly conceal all the piping, keeping the concrete ceilings maximally visible and high.
Meandering walls
The meandering oak walls form a warm, soft layer and twist across the width of the house, creating a theatrical effect: each step reveals a new space, always with a hint of surprise that invites exploration. The flowing forms contrast with the precise straight walls, which provide direction and clarity from front to back within the home. Together, they create a play of contrasts that makes the house layered, dynamic, and distinctively individual.
The wooden walls are finished with ribbed oak veneer, adding a tactile depth. To enhance the softness, the edges are sharply cut out of the walls, yet still made from oak. The thickness of the walls suggests mass and establishes a hierarchy over the concrete. Additionally, they offer space to subtly conceal all the piping, keeping the concrete ceilings maximally visible and high.
