IMPROVISED HOMES IN AMSTERDAM INDUSTRIAL SQUATS

© DAVID CARR-SMITH 2005 : all images & text are copyrighted - please accredit text quotes - image reproduction must be negotiated via [email protected]
Key F11 for full-screen on/off.
Click on images to enlarge.

CONTENTS 4 SITES
SILO
TETTERODE DE LOODS EDELWEIS APPENDICES NOTES SUB-SITES

BOOK: DAVID CARR-SMITH - IMPROVISED ARCHITECTURE IN AMSTERDAM INDUSTRIAL SQUATS & COLLECTIVES

"TETTERODE" SQUAT 1981-/COLLECTIVE 1986 to-- - p5(of 18)

DA COSTAKADE: MERKELBACH APARTMENTS

< TETTERODE - p1: INTRODUCTION <
< TETTERODE - p2: PUBLIC-USE & WORK-SPACES <
< TETTERODE - p3: RESIDENTIAL DOMAINS <

< TETTERODE - p4: DACOSTAKADE BUILDINGS: MERKELBACH & HARTCAMP <

TETTERODE - p5: DACOSTAKADE: MERKELBACH APTS - mb//mb1/mb2

> TETTERODE - p6: DACOSTAKADE: MERKELBACH APTS - mb3 >

> TETTERODE - p7: DACOSTAKADE: MERKELBACH APTS - mb4 >

> TETTERODE - p8: DACOSTAKADE: MERKELBACH APTS - mb5/mb6 >

> TETTERODE - p9: DACOSTAKADE: HARTCAMP APTS - hc//hc1/hc2 >

> TETTERODE - p10: DACOSTAKADE: HARTCAMP APTS - hc3 >

> TETTERODE - p11: DACOSTAKADE: HARTCAMP APTS - hc4(1) >

> TETTERODE - p12: DACOSTAKADE: HARTCAMP APTS - hc4(2) >

> TETTERODE - p13: DACOSTAKADE: HARTCAMP APTS - hc5/hc6 >

> TETTERODE - p14: BILDERDIJKSTRAAT BUILDINGS >

> TETTERODE - p15: BILDERDIJKSTRAAT APTS - bd//bd1 >

> TETTERODE - p16: BILDERDIJKSTRAAT APTS - bd2 >

> TETTERODE - p17: BILDERDIJKSTRAAT APTS - bd3 >

> TETTERODE - p18: BILDERDIJKSTRAAT APTS - bdN >

THE MERKELBACH BUILDING [mb]


MERKELBACH BUILDING (mb): DACOSTAKADE BLOCK FROM N END (pic 08-1993 / to S)	MERKELBACH BUILDING (mb): DACOSTAKADE EAST FACADE (pic 4-05-2008 / to W)	MERKELBACH BUILDING (mb): WEST FACADE (pic 19-10-2006 / to NNE) The inner facade (overlooking the workshops of the N-end) - seen from the L3 bridge to Bilderdijk.

MERKELBACH BUILDING (Architect-Drawing: 19## / section WWS to EEN)

MERKELBACH HOMES & STUDIO-APTS ... in process
[written mid 1990s]

Merkelbach's light facade poised on its floors, vertically free and stiffened with steel fins, belies the massive concrete slab-and-frame within - more oppressive in some of the new enclosures than it must have been when each floor was a single workshop and both sides visually opened into the space above the house-tops through the almost-full-height glazing. This building, made in the era of industrial-functionalism, lends to the apts that exploit it a sophisticated clarity; and to those that failed to recognise its style the rawness of a factory! Cozy homes are impossible to achieve in it

In this section we will move upwards through Merkelbach's 6 living-space levels and show 15 of their 18 living-spaces. When re-recorded in 2008 two of these spaces were substantially changed by/for new users.

mb-L1 - "THE APT OF A MUSICIAN" - [recorded 2008]
mb-L2 - ANJA NAGELKERKE - [recorded: 1993/94 & 2008]
mb-L2 - THOM PUCKEY & BEA STIENSTRA - [recorded: 1993/94 & 2008]
mb-L3 - RONALD VAN TIENHOVEN - [recorded: 1993 & 2008]
mb-L3 - JAN VAN G - [recorded: 1993 & 2008]
mb-L3 - AKKE BOTMA - [recorded 1993]
mb-L4 - YVONNE DRÖGE - [recorded 2008]
mb-L4 - PAOLO HARTGERS - [recorded 2008]
mb-L4 - TINA SCHRAMEIJER - [recorded 1993] / mb-L4 - TITUS & ESTHER - [recorded 2008]
mb-L5 - THEO LEIJDEKKERS - [recorded: 1990/93/94] / mb-L5 - "M4GASTATELIER" - [recorded 2008]
mb-L5 - MARION BAKKER - [recorded: 1993]
mb-L5 - CHRIS DE HAAS - [recorded: 1993]
mb-L6 - ANITA MOLL - [recorded: 1993/94]
mb-L6 - MONICA AERDEN - [recorded: 1993]
mb-L6 - MONICA LEO - [recorded: 1993 & 2008]
.

On this page is shown level-1's single living-space and two of level-2 enclave's three living-spaces:

mb-L1 - "THE APT OF A MUSICIAN" - [recorded: 2008]
mb-L2 - ANJA NAGELKERKE - [recorded: 1993/94 & 2008]
mb-L2 - THOM PUCKEY & BEA STEINSTRA - [recorded: 1993/94 & 2008]

MERKELBACH: mb-L1 APT & ENCLAVE (WORK-ZONE 3)

Merkelbach level 1, the so-called "Entresol", is a floor of rented work-spaces and one independent apt. The work-spaces are grouped inside a lockable enclave-like floor. This "Entresol" is the only 'above-ground-level' externally rented work-zone in Tetterode and is shown in the section on Tetterode's work-spaces [Ref: TET p1 / WORK-ZONE 3].

For some reason, on this level alone, the familiar floor-entry-door is set back by a half-bay resulting in a uniquely wide central-stair landing from which the "Entresol" work-zone and the independent apt both open. On this landing (also uniquely) is a shower/wc-room, used by the commuting workers and the independent apt.

MERKELBACH PLAN: LEVEL 1 - WITH WORK-ZONE 3 & AN INDEPENDENT "APT OF A MUSICIAN"
(Architect-Drawing 1986 / top is EEN)

mb-L1 LANDING WITH ENTRIES TO LIFT, INDEPENDENT APT & WORK-ZONE 3
(pic 1-05-2008 / to NNE)

Through the apt's cream-coloured door tuba music often issues.

[NB: The mb-L1 Enclave is shown at "WORK-ZONE 3 - "ENTRESOL" (TET-p2)]

mb-L1 LANDING WITH ENTRIES TO SHOWER/WC & WORK-ZONE 3
(pic 17-04-2008 / to NNE)

mb-L1 LANDING SHOWER/WC ROOM
(paste-up 2-pics 17-04-2008 / to WWS)

mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT

INDEPENDENT APT ("THE APT OF A MUSICIAN") (mid-1980s - ) [mb-L1 / E-side S-end 1½-bays] [recorded 2008]
[This space was first recorded in 2008 when the apt's title was chosen by its occupant.]

Opening directly from a circulation route, this is one of very few Tetterode apts not part of a locked enclave. The apt is a simple single-volume intruded upon by the dc block's central lift-shaft - its consequently narrowed entry-way serves also as its kitchen. Lacking its own wash/wc it uses the floor's shower/wc facility across the landing opposite its entry, sharing it with the Entresol work-zone commuters.


mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: ENTRY & KITCHEN (pic 23-04-2008 / to WWS) This portion of the apt is narrowed by the intrusion of the central lift.	mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: SIT-PLACE TO ENTRY (pic 23-04-2008 / to SW)	mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: NORTH WALL STORAGE (pic 23-04-2008 / to NNE)

mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: SIT-PLACE (pic 23-04-2008 / to NE)	mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: SIT-PLACE (pic 23-04-2008 / to E)	mb-L1 INDEPENDENT APT: SW CORNER - MUSIC & BED (pic 23-04-2008 / to S)

MERKELBACH: mb-L2 ENCLAVE
[Shown below are 2 of the enclave's 3 living-spaces. These were both re-recorded in 2008 and the old and new results are displayed here 'in parallel'.]

The floor that is now the mb-L2 enclave was originally a single space - the huge studio of Christine Haleberg and Thom Puckey. Its pre 1984 dividing was planned by Christine, Thom and Anja Nagelkerke.


MERKELBACH: PLAN - LEVEL 2 ENCLAVE [mb-L2] (Architect-Drawing 1986 / top is EEN)	MERKELBACH: PLAN - LEVEL 2 ENCLAVE [mb-L2] (Plan: Mikel van Gelderen 2006 / info 2008 / top is EEN)

L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE: ENCLAVE ENTRY DOOR INTERIOR FACE (pic 25-04-2008 / to EEN) The enclave door is swung open, revealing its inner face to the dc central-stair landing. Bell wires pierce it, the red landing-lift glows through its window, an emblematic doodle seems to bar egress.	L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE: ENCLAVE ENTRY DOOR INTERIOR FACE - DRAWING (pic 25-04-2008 / to EEN) On the exit door's inner face is a doodle drawing of an ambiguous 'demon-roadsign' with shockingly apt white drawing-pin blind eyes gleaming like car lights down the enclave's passage as if to warn there may be dangers beyond the door.	L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NNW) The enclave's central access passage seen through its entry door. To right (east) and left (west) are doors into the huge family home of Anja which occupies the full west side and joins overhead with half of the east. Beyond her east side space is Christine's family apt [unrecorded], and at the far end is the painted door of Thom and Bea's large family home that stretches across the floor's north end. Here the passage turns left to the building's west windows and external fire-escape ladder.

L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to SSE) Looking back at the enclave entry door past Anja's apt (entries on both sides).	L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW) Excising a small rectangle from the inner edge of Anja's west side space is a wc/wash room opening from the passage (entered between the two tall cupboards). Once shared by all it has (since most apts installed their own) become a semi-private extension of one apt.	L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE: SHARED WASH / WC (pic 25-04-2008 / to SSE)

L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE: SHARED WASH / WC (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW)	L2 ENCLAVE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to W) The enclave passage's progress north terminates at the south wall (and entry door) of Thom and Bea's living-space. Here it sends a narrow branch to the left (west) and becomes a fire-escape passage between Thom's and Anja's apts.	L2 ENCLAVE PASSAGE: N-END: VIEW BACK FROM THE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE ENTRY (pic 25-04-2008 / to NE)

L2 ENCLAVE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to WWS)	L2 ENCLAVE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE (pic 25-04-2008 / to WWS) At its west end the fire-escape passage turns right skirting the cement-block perimeter of Thom's studio and Merkelbach's west-facade window.	L2 ENCLAVE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE - N-END (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW) The far window is an escape door to an external ladder down Merkelbach's west facade [ref: p3 page-top]. In the foreground are steps to its sill.

L2 ENCLAVE FIRE ESCAPE PASSAGE - N-END (pic 25-04-2008 / to NNW) The passage ends just past the escape window where Tom/Bea's apt re-claims the west-facade, its wall hidden behind stored items from Tom's studio.

ANJA NAGELKERKE LIVING-SPACE (STUDIO 1984 - & APT 1986 -) [mb-L2 / S-end E & W-sides ] [recorded 1993/94 & 2008]

In the 1980s Anja had two distinct spaces on opposite sides of the level 2 enclave corridor - a studio on the east side and an apt on the west. When I first recorded these in 1993/4 Anja's studio was her private space and the apt was shared and designed by her and Frank Voet (who made its fittings and furniture in his sophisticated wood-workshop in the N-End work-area [ref]).

When I next recorded the L2 enclave in 2008 these two separated spaces had consolidated into Anja's huge live-work space whose complex mezzanine floor bridged the enclave corridor. Frank Voet no longer shared it but still used his N-end workshop.

ANJA NAGELKERKE STUDIO-OFFICE (1984 -) [mb-L2 / E-side S-end] [recorded 1993]

Anja's private east side studio/office is separate from (and 1½ times larger than) her's and Frank Voet's apt, whose entry faces it across the enclave passage.


ANJA STUDIO-OFFICE (pic 08-1993 / to SW)	ANJA STUDIO-OFFICE (pic 08-1993 / to EES)

ANJA NAGELKERKE & FRANK VOET APT (1986 -) [mb-L2 / W-side S-end ] [recorded 1993 & 94]

This apt was designed and built by Anja and Frank from 1987 (during the post-legalisation building-boom) on a narrow site along 2 bays of the west side, with a mezzanine extension over the enclave passage; most was completed by 1988. Apart from its magnificent glass-walled living-room it is especially notable for the inventiveness and humour, yet elegant practicality of Frank's furniture and fittings.


ANJA & FRANK APT: FROM ENTRY/KITCHEN (pic 08-1993 / to N)	ANJA & FRANK APT: LIVING-ROOM FROM MEZZANINE STAIR (pic 08-1993 / to NW)	ANJA & FRANK APT: LIVING-ROOM FROM MEZZANINE STAIR (pic 09-1994 / to NW) In the living-room the floor has been raised to window height.

ANJA & FRANK APT: LIVING-ROOM FROM MEZZANINE (pic 09-1994 / to SW)	ANJA & FRANK APT: LIVING-ROOM WINDOW (pic 08-1993 / to W) The floor has been raised to sill-level.	ANJA & FRANK APT: MEZZANINE FROM LIVING-ROOM (pic 09-1994 / to EES)

ANJA & FRANK APT: MEZZANINE WINDOW FROM LIVING-ROOM (pic 08-1993 / to E)	ANJA & FRANK APT: MEZZANINE (pic 08-1993 / to N) The mezzanine is mainly constructed over the enclave entry-passage. Its foreground entry door is at the top of the living-room-to-mezzanine stair.	ANJA & FRANK APT: MEZZANINE (pic 09-1994 / to N)

ANJA & FRANK APT: MEZZANINE: FRANK: NURSERY FURNITURE (pic 08-1993 / to NNE) Linked pieces: 'Commode' (1991) "for Job's birth"; 2: Cupboard (1993) "for Sasha's birth".

ANJA NAGELKERKE APT (1998 --) [mb-L2 / S-end E & W-sides ] [recorded 2008] ... in process
[Written 2012]

The two separate pre-1998 parts, Anja's studio and Anja's/Frank's apt, have been joined via the enlarged mezzanine and are now parts in a single huge complexly differentiated living-space. Their former functions are now reversed [get explanation]: Anja's east side studio has become domestic and the west side apt has become a workshop (a rearrangement that apparently required a renewal or resiting of most services). The newly enlarged apt can be entered from the enclave-passage via either of its opposite facing doors. In 2008 the apt was still in progress.

To explore the continuity of this new enclave-spanning living-space one must not only visit its previously separate east and west parts, but climb a mezzanine stair and wander through and across the complex of spaces that now extend and join them.

This picture-tour of Anja's 2008 apt starts in the enclave passage between its two entry doors and under its connecting mezzanine (that lowers the enclave passage to half-height). We first enter its domestic space via its east-side 'front-door'.

ANJA APT: ENCLAVE PASSAGE ENTRY DOOR TO THE APT'S WEST (WORKSHOP) SIDE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW)	ANJA APT: ENCLAVE PASSAGE ENTRY DOOR TO THE APT'S EAST (DOMESTIC) SIDE (pic 25-04-2008 / to N)
Behind this factory door a long domestic hallway opens into the apt's Dacostakade-facing living-room and the semi separate kitchen/dining space at its south end.

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: ENTRY HALLWAY UNDER MEZZANINE FROM 'FRONT DOOR' INTO SITTING-AREA (pic 25-04-2008 / to EEN) From its enclave entry the apt's main social space is perceived at the end of a long under-mezzanine passage.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: ENTRY HALLWAY UNDER MEZZANINE FROM 'FRONT DOOR' (pic 25-04-2008 / to WWS) Near the passage's entry is a stair up to the large and complex upper level mezzanine; next one passes doors to right and left children's' rooms; finally it opens into the east-side sitting area and dining space.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SITTING AREA WITH SOUTH-END DINING SPACE (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to SSE) The sitting area with its south-end dining-space/kitchen spans the 3-window width of the apt's east side. The sitting-area is overlooked across its west side by Anja's mezzanine office that spans the two childrens' rooms and central entry passage. This mezzanine extends eastward over the dining-space, supporting the adults' bedroom.


ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SITTING AREA (pic 25-04-2008 / to EEN)	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SITTING AREA WITH A TEDDY & CAT (pic 25-04-2008 / to N) What strange relations humans have with the animals we import into our living-places.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CAT CORNER (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to WWS) In the SW corner of the living-room are some objects that we think a cat needs for its 'leisure': a ball, climbing/perching pole, a day-bed?, an inexplicable metal stove cover. Do they show a paucity of empathy!

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE - DOORS TO SITTING AREA (pic 25-04-2008 / to NNW)	ANJA APT: ESPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE (pic 25-04-2008 / to WWN) Behind the white screen-wall is the kitchen.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE - S WALL (pic 25-04-2008 / to S)

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE - KITCHEN BEHIND SCREEN-WALL (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to NE)	ANJA APT: ESPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE - KITCHEN (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW)	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SOUTH-END DINING SPACE WINDOW (pic 25-04-2008 / to E)
Under Anja's office on the living-room mezzanine are two children's' rooms, one on each side of the entrance passage - looking into the living-room through narrow windows.

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: SITTING-ROOM WEST SIDE (pic 25-04-2008 / to SW) Under Anja's mezzanine office, flanking the central hallway and lit by narrow windows, are the two children's' rooms.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (N-ROOM) - BED (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to WWN)	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (N-ROOM) (pic 25-04-2008 / to NE)

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (N-ROOM) - DESK (pic 25-04-2008 / to EEN)	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (S-ROOM) - BED (pic 25-04-2008 / to WWN) The head of the bed tucks under the mezzanine stair and landing.	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (S-ROOM) - BED (pic 25-04-2008 / to SSW)

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: CHILDS ROOM (S-ROOM) - DESK (pic 25-04-2008 / to EES)
In the hallway, near the apt's 'front-door', is a stair up to the mezzanine - we climb to its landing and take its south-branch to the adults bedroom that juts over the dining-kitchen space (with which it shares a Dacostakade window).

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: ENTRY PASSAGE FROM 'FRONT DOOR' - MEZZANINE STAIR ALCOVE (pic 25-04-2008 / to E)	ANJA APT: ESPACE: ENTRY PASSAGE STAIR TO MEZZANINE (pic 25-04-2008 / to E)	ANJA APT: E-SPACE: ENTRY PASSAGE STAIR TO MEZZANINE - E-BRANCH TO BOOK-STORE & ADULT BEDROOM (pic 25-04-2008 / to ##)

ANJA APT: E-SPACE: ENTRY PASSAGE STAIR TO MEZZANINE - E-BRANCH TO BOOK-STORE & ADULT BEDROOM (pic 25-04-2008 / to SE)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ADULT BEDROOM (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW) This bedroom is built on an east extension of the apt's central mezzanine - this halves the height of the SE dining-space and shares its window.	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ADULT BEDROOM (pic 25-04-2008 / to E) From bedroom entry to the window end.

ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ADULT BEDROOM - WINDOW VIEW OF DACOSTAKADE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NE) The mezzanine stops short of the window by only a few centimeters, terminated by a semi-glazed wood-framed 'balcony' from which one looks down into the fascinating complexity of Dacostakade.
We return to the stair's landing and climb its north-branch to Anja's office work-space (that overlooks the east-side living-room like a balcony)..


ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ANJA OFFICE (pic 25-04-2008 / to E)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ANJA OFFICE (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to SSE) Behind the office rear wall is the north branch of the entry-corridor mezzanine stair.
We leave Anja's office via the opening at its rear, ignore the down-stair and pass the bathroom on the left. Then through a door onto the portion of the mezzanine that spans the enclave passage and projects into and over the west-side workshop. Here we can turn right into (in 2008) Dingenis' work-place (that overlooks the west-side workshop like a balcony) ...


ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: E-SIDE - ANJA OFFICE REAR - STAIR DOWN & PASSAGE TO THE W-SIDE (pic 25-04-2008 / to SW)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: EAST-WEST PASSAGE - WASH-WC (pic 25-04-2008 / to S)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: EAST-WEST PASSAGE - WASH-WC (pic 25-04-2008 / to SE)

ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - A GENERAL SPACE WITH DINGENIS' WORK-PLACE TO THE RIGHT (pic 25-04-2008 / to W) From a general-use space at the west side of the mezzanine we can enter Dingenis' 'balcony' workspace to the right.	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - DINGENIS WORK-PLACE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW) Dingenis' 'balcony' workspace overlooks the west side workshop.	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - DINGENIS WORK-PLACE (pic 25-04-2008 / to SW)

ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - DINGENIS WORK-PLACE NE CORNER (pic 25-04-2008 / to NNE)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - DINGENIS WORK-PLACE S END EXIT (pic 25-04-2008 / to S)
We exit Dingenis' work-place into a space of indeterminate-use (storage, etc. - especially of clothes). Here we may make use of the clothes-laundering room on the most southerly part of the mezzanine, that projects over the workshop kitchen ... or simply exit through a glass door onto the stair that descends to the workshop. Via the workshop kitchen one may now exit the apt via its west 'front-door' into the enclave passage. (Across the passage is the 'domestic' door we first entered).

ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE S-END - GENERAL UTILITY SPACE WITH EXIT TO WORKSHOP STAIR & CLOTHES LAUNDERING ROOM OVER THE WORKSHOP'S KITCHEN (pic 25-04-2008 / to W)	ANJA APT: MEZZANINE: W-SIDE - GENERAL SPACE WITH ENTRY FROM WORKSHOP STAIR (pic 25-04-2008 / to NE) Standing at the top of the workshop's stair looking back into the mezzanine: across the utility space, past Dingenis' work-place entry and through an open door into the passage to the east-side.	ANJA APT: W-SPACE: WORKSHOP FROM MEZZANINE STAIR (pic 25-04-2008 / to NW)


ANJA APT: W-SPACE: WORKSHOP ENTRY STEPS FROM MEZZANINE (pic 25-04-2008 / to NE)	ANJA APT: W-SPACE: WORKSHOP EAST WALL & DINGENIS MEZZANINE WORK-SPACE (pic 25-04-2008 / to EES) Under the mezzanine 'balcony' is the apt's second 'front-door', opening into the enclave passage.	ANJA APT: W-SPACE: WORKSHOP (paste-up 2-pics 25-04-2008 / to SSE)

THOM PUCKEY & BEA STIENSTRA LIVING-SPACE (STUDIO 1982 -- & APT 1989 --) [mb-L2 / N-end] [recorded 1993/94 & 2008]

In 1982 when Thom Puckey and Christine Hamelberg set up a sculpture studio in mb-L2 “the whole 400m² floor was an open space, "one could choose to work anywhere”. They publicised mb-L2 as “an alternative art space, for exhibitions etc” ('Art and Behaviour - Space for Works'). As more artists moved in (to work not to live) more spaces were flimsily demarcated. After the 1986 legalisation the floor’s four users divided it with permanent walls. Thom’s is the largest space, spanning the 17m width at the north end, an L-shaped 120m².

THOM PUCKEY & BEA STIENSTRA LIVING-SPACE [mb-L2 / N-end] [recorded 1993/94]
[Written c1994]

The family apartment is a recent addition to the long-established studio. Started in 1989 the apt grew until 1992, adding about 65m² of platform to the space. The studio and the apt each have their own full (4·8m) height portion of the space: the studio has 9 metres on the inner side of the building, on the Dacostakade side the apt’s full-height portion is only 2m; between they share the height, the apt over the studio’s store. They lock over and around each other, uneasily compromising both their spatial needs.

Entering from the enclave’s corridor one turns left through a curtain into the big studio, where almost nothing compromises the industrial character of the building except the extraordinary overhanging ‘village’ of board and glass boxed-spaces: the intruding 'exterior' of the apt, pushed up on wood and steel-supported platforms around two of the studio’s inner sides - their pillars, platforms, walls and windows in a dynamic counterpoint with the huge concrete beams and ceiling. A dramatic demonstration of the power of the unpredictable, achievable at this degree of preciseness and detail only through procedures akin to un-premeditated events: in this case those of ‘chance’ or ad hoc practicality.

Up on the platform inside the ribbed-plastic wall, the apt’s foyer - a ‘sketch’ in Modern-movement idiom - introduces the basics of the apt: white board walls, minimal steel balustrade, ply-board floor, and massive concrete ceiling. From here one may choose to turn and pass through two connected box-like children's bedrooms on a narrow extension of the platform around the SE studio fringe; or enter a plain grey front-door into a dark hall between shower-room (no wc: plumbing was prohibitive) and kitchen - out through a second door onto a bright balcony-like living-room, facing a huge window onto the trees and houseboats of Dacostakade, edged with a balustrade over the awkward 2m slot tucked behind the rear of the studio-store: the adults’ bed-space.

If it does not achieve the calm of resolved form, its mis-match of sophisticated fittings and awkward volumes at least ensures interesting tensions and its interface with the studio has the exciting immediacy of all ad hoc events.

By 1995 the living-room mezzanine had been extended to its window, and the studio enlarged by renting extra outside Tetterode - the space had gone through a circular progression!


THOM & BEA: LIVING-SPACE ENTRY - ENCLAVE PASSAGE SOUTH-END DOOR (pic 08-1993 / to NNW) Facing the enclave's passage at its north end is the entry door of Thom and Bea's living-space; opening directly into Thom's studio. To the left of the door is the enclave's fire-escape passage which skirts part of the living-space's west side to a west-facade escape-window.	THOM: STUDIO (pic 08-1993 / to NW) Thom studio from entry corner	THOM: STUDIO (pic 09-1994 / to NNW)

THOM & BEA: STUDIO & DOMESTIC FACADES (pic 08-1993 / to E) The interior facade of the apt confronts the studio, facing its big windows. Over the curtained entry-hall is a child’s small bedroom - this later addition serves as a bridge between the apt’s foyer and another child’s bedroom built along the studio’s S end wall above the enclave’s fire-escape corridor. Behind this facade the apt spans the building’s width to the Dacostakade side.	THOM & BEA: STUDIO & DOMESTIC FACADES (pic 09-1994 / to SE)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO & DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SUPPORT DETAIL (pic 08-1993 / to E) This corner of a later extension to the original living-space mezzanine (a child's bedroom) is supported over the studio with a steel tube, an RSJ, and self-made bracket (a sound-speaker obscures the platforms' junction). The curtain behind hides the space's entry door.

THOM & BEA: STUDIO & DOMESTIC FACADE - VIEW FROM MEZZANINE S-END (pic 09-1994 / to N)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE STAIR & LANDING (pic 08-1993 / to N) A stair from the studio leads directly to the 'front-door' of the main part of the apt. Between this door and a second door opening onto the living-space mezzanine is a central passage between shower and kitchen. The children's' bedrooms [behind us in the pic] are a separate unit.	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE (pic 09-1994 / to NW) This part of the living-space is built over the studio store.

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE (pic 09-1994 / to SSE)	THOM & BEA: MEZZANINE - VIEW DOWN INTO BED SPACE (pic 09-1994 / to SE) The mezzanine stops short of the huge window leaving a 2m wide slot down to studio floor level that serves as the adults bed space.	THOM & BEA: MEZZANINE EAST FACADE (pic 08-1993 / to SW) The studio store is walled off behind the mezzanine's east facade.

THOM & BEA: BED SPACE FROM MEZZANINE (pic 09-1994 / to NNW)

THOM PUCKEY & BEA STIENSTRA LIVING-SPACE [mb-L2 / N-end] [recorded 2008] ... in process
[Written 2008]

This awkward L-shaped space was not chosen to contain an apt. The apt and studio had always locked around and over each other in a somewhat haphazard spatial contest. Now in 2008 the 'haphazardness' (a sensation that results from urgent domestic spatial needs satisfied by a combination of ad hoc utilitarian construction and opportunistic expansion) has been intensified by the massive extensions of the domestic mezzanine over the studio - seeming to crush a now 'submerged' work space. Now with internal WC/shower the 'home' is completely self-sufficient.


THOM & BEA: STUDIO / LIVING-SPACE ENTRY DOOR (EXTERIOR) - ENCLAVE PASSAGE SOUTH-END (pic 25-04-2008 / to NNW)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO / LIVING-SPACE ENTRY DOOR (INTERIOR) (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO / LIVING-SPACE ENTRY DOOR DETAIL (pic 5-05-2008 / to SSE)

THOM & BEA: STUDIO / LIVING-SPACE ENTRY SPACE - SMALL TOOLS STORE	THOM: STUDIO (pic 5-05-2008 / to WWN)	THOM: STUDIO: UNDER MEZZANINE, CENTRE AREA (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE)

THOM: STUDIO: UNDER MEZZANINE, CENTRE AREA (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE)	THOM: STUDIO: UNDER MEZZANINE, CENTRE AREA (pic 5-05-2008 / to ##)	THOM: STUDIO: DETAIL - WORK-TABLE WITH FIGURE-ARMATURE (pic 5-05-2008 / to S)

THOM: STUDIO - N SIDE: WORK TABLE (pic 5-05-2008 / to WWN)	THOM: STUDIO - SW CORNER (pic 5-05-2008 / to SW)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO / DOMESTIC MEZZANINE NORTH EXTENSION: BEDROOM FACADE (pic 5-05-2008 / to E) [Ref: pic-19 below for bedroom interior]

THOM & BEA: STUDIO / DOMESTIC MEZZANINE NORTH EXTENSION (pic 5-05-2008 / to SSE)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO / DOMESTIC MEZZANINE NORTH EXTENSION (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE)	THOM & BEA: STUDIO / DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - BETWEEN NORTH & SOUTH MEZZANINE EXTENSIONS (pic 5-05-2008 / to EEN)

THOM & BEA: STUDIO STAIR TO DOMESTIC MEZZANINE (pic 5-05-2008 / to NNW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE STAIR & LANDING (pic 5-05-2008 / to NNW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE NORTH PORTION - VIEW OF STUDIO (pic 5-05-2008 / to S) The mezzanine's extended north portion has an inner 'landing' that terminates at its south end at a small balcony. Here we can look down into the studio or across to the mezzanine's extended south portion with its narrow inner-corner window.

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SOUTH PORTION - INNER-CORNER WINDOW VIEW (pic 5-05-2008 / to NW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SOUTH PORTION - locate? (pic 5-05-2008 / to NNW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SOUTH PORTION - BEDROOM (1) (pic 5-05-2008 / to NNE)

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SOUTH PORTION - BEDROOM (1) (pic 5-05-2008 / to NW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE SOUTH PORTION - BEDROOM (1) (pic 5-05-2008 / to NW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE NORTH PORTION - BEDROOM (2) (pic 5-05-2008 / to W) [Ref: pic-12 above for external mezzanine facade]

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - KITCHEN (paste-up 2-pics 5-05-2008 / to SW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - LIVING-ROOM (pic 5-05-2008 / to N)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - LIVING-ROOM (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE)

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - LIVING-ROOM (pic 5-05-2008 / to SSW)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - LIVING-ROOM (pic 5-05-2008 / to NE)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - LIVING-ROOM WINDOW (pic 5-05-2008 / to SE) The window overlooks Da Costakade.

THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - WASH/WC ROOM: BASIN (pic 5-05-2008 / to #)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - WASH/WC ROOM: SHOWER (pic 5-05-2008 / to #)	THOM & BEA: DOMESTIC MEZZANINE - WC ROOM (pic 5-05-2008 / to #)