serge schoemaker's utrecht townhouse is a striking alteration to the neoclassical ideal

‘utrecht townhouse’ is part of a development around wilhelminapark in utrecht, the netherlands.

‘utrecht townhouse’ is part of a development around wilhelminapark in utrecht, the netherlands. these townhouses were built in the early 20th century to offer upper class citizens an alternative to the bustle of the city center. the clients’ spacious neoclassical house dates from 1900 and is set in a terrace of houses at the western side of the park.

in renovating this townhouse, amsterdam-based serge schoemaker architects decided to redefine the ground floor kitchen as a luxury open kitchen, which opens directly to both the garden at the back and the period room at the front. a few simple architectural alterations enlarged and brightened this space, which is now more in proportion to the rest of the house. a pivoting folding door leads visitors directly from the hall into the open kitchen. the wall between the kitchen and period room has been replaced by large built-in storage units with double doors, allowing the open kitchen and front room to function as two interconnected spaces. the authentic details and ornaments in the house have been painted white, while the new floor in the hall and open kitchen is finished in polished white marble. interior fittings with a dark finish of smoked oak veneer create a sense of contrast, warmth and intimacy.