The Amsterdam shop slash gallery WonderWood commissioned several artists, designers, journalists and other creatives to do something with a wooden panel of the same size. Designer Woes (Woes van Haaften) created this piece. I think it is just superb! Not sure if he intended a deeper meaning, but it speaks of so much it’s hard not to accredit it a political statement.
Springplank by Woes van Haaften
An earlier Homevoyeurs.com post dealt with the question whether or not a council estate could be considered a monument. Park Hill in Sheffield got a grade II listing placing it in the top 7% of most important UK buildings. In the article Homevoyeurs compared Park Hill with the Amsterdam neighbourhood Bijlmermeer. Coincidence has it, Amsterdam housing association Rochdale is trying to sell off an entire apartment building in the Bijlmermeer. The entire building, with hundreds of apartments, is for sale for the symbolic figure of 1 euro. The 11 story structure is almost certainly going to be torn down as renovation costs are too expensive. It’s monstrous appearance however, is testament to its birth period and some people think it should be preserved and get monumental status.
Kleiburg
Judge for yourself. But bear in mind that some of the world’s most famous buildings were once erected despite many protests. The Eiffel Tower being one. Up to far after its completion, and far after it proved its touristic success, people wanted to have it torn down. Not saying Bijlmermeer is like Paris, but let’s try to consider its historical value. Isn’t it worth preserving just for that? To illustrate a page in Dutch building history?
Posted in Unusual homes
Tagged 1 euro, Bijlmermeer, demolition, for sale, Kleiburg, Monument, monumental status, te koop
A Belgian couple commissioned Flemish architecture firm 51N4E to drastically renovate their farm-house. It was to be a place that was open and closed, private and public, sophisticated and rugged.
Arteconomy Courtesy of 51N4E
The couple, middle aged, had long wished to found a meeting place for people interested in the link between art and economy. Their own love for modern art drew them to modernistic architecture. The lay-out of their home, which they loved, did not meet the requirements for such a space. It needed a special treatment to fit its purpose as meeting point for creative interaction. The Brussels based architecture firm went to work, and with success.
Arteconomy courtesy of 51N4E
Most notable feature is a thin steel wall framing the surrounding fields and nature. It wraps around parts of the old home, and parts of the new add-ons. It seeps sparse lights where privacy and a darker setting is needed, and abundantly lets light through where openness is key.
Arteconomy courtesy of 51N4E
The owners often invite writers, artists and architects to stay in the house for creative retreats.
I like the building, it’s great, but the name of the house (gosh, art and economy meet… how to call this… I know! Arteconomy…) and the unpronounceable name of the firm make the hairs on my neck stand up.
photographer Åke Eson Lindman
Further to previous posts, here a few more unusual homes from around the world.
Ojai California
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Smyrna Georgia USA
Dietikon Switzerland
Japan
Ukraine
Posted in Unusual homes
Tagged bizarre architecture, japan, ojai, smyrna, ukraine, unusual homes, weird homes, weird houses
Home voyeurs.... a peek into homes 