The Passage in The Hague is the oldest, still existing, shopping center in the Netherlands. Over the years the dwellings above the stores became vacant. Client and owner a.s.r real estate wanted to restore these dwellings in their full glory.

Studio id+ was asked to completely redevelop the first four apartments. In the briefing we were challenged to enlarge the spatial feeling of the minimum square meters (30-50 m2) and to reflect the past in a contemporary design. The traditional floorpan layout, as a two-room apartment, was changed into an open floorpan. Key design element in the space is central cabinet with kitchen and storage. With an ensuite option to connect or separate the living room, bedroom and hallway from each other. Which reflects the traditional and monumental setup of the apartments. Each centimeter of the space is well designed and used. By specific designed closets and pieces of furniture. The bed in the bedroom is foldable, so the space can have multiple purposes. Including a working area, by unfolding the desk from under the bed.

In the smallest apartment, we repeated the same thought. But with a different separation element, to give some privacy to the sleeping area. Since the bed is also foldable and the tv rotatable, we gave maximum flexibility and freedom to the use of the spaces in the apartment.

In the apartments there were several monumental fireplaces. These were taken as a starting point and inspiration for the materialization and color palette of the design. Both the graying green, as well as the tiles in the bathroom and near the kitchen and the black accents that can be found are inspired by the fireplace. The soft orange is inspired by the colors from the passage itself. With the quiet base of colors and rich variety of materials, we wanted the home to exude grandeur, allure, and tranquility. Details such as cornices and the herringbone pattern on the floor refer to history, in which these style elements were common.

The result are homes with allure that make living above stores in this historic setting possible again. And in doing so, not contributing to a housing issue, but also doing justice to the history of the Passage.