The Beacon / Studio Appelo

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography
© Lars Goossens

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior PhotographyThe Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography, FacadeThe Beacon / Studio Appelo - Interior PhotographyThe Beacon / Studio Appelo - Interior Photography, Wood, BrickThe Beacon / Studio Appelo - More Images+ 14

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The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography
© Peter Mann

Text description provided by the architects. The Unbound is an estate in a rural area on the outskirts of Amsterdam, featuring public gardens, a restaurant and bar, wellness facilities, and a collection of hotel suites scattered among a newly created, but typically Dutch landscape. Studio Appelo developed the overall concept and design philosophy for Unbound. Based on fluidity and trust, it dissolves boundaries between inside and outside and between private and public space, allows for an open mind about unexpected functions, and trusts that this freedom of design will lead to something beautiful.

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Image 18 of 19
Axo

The Beacon is the largest building on the estate, at the center of what almost feels like a small town. Walking west across the central bridge you are immediately drawn towards its detached chimney. The paired-down utilitarian architecture of The Beacon is reminiscent of agricultural structures, and the building was designed to provide a focal point and facilitate multiple uses - from a wedding spilling out into the town square, to a private board meeting or a yoga class.

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Interior Photography
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Image 16 of 19
Plan

Barn door-sized shutters can close the huge windows, thus giving the choice between a completely private or completely open space. When fully opened the shutters align exactly with the walled sections, and the division between outside and inside seems to disappear. The brick floors enhance this effect even more. The Beacon is raised off the ground with masonry steps that continue inside, and it’s easy to imagine the structure as the stage for musical or theatrical performance. Inside a fireplace forms the heart of the building and creates a powerful backdrop for the variety of activities the Beacon can host.

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Interior Photography, Wood, Brick
© Peter Mann

The structure of the building combines the old technique of trusses with the new technique of prefabricated walls and roof elements. This way, the construction emanates a vibe of authentic craftsmanship, while building time, cost, and carbon footprint are greatly reduced. Made from local clay raw Oberon bricks and unfinished, native spruce, the building relates to its natural environment - almost as if it evolved organically right at this spot.

The Beacon / Studio Appelo - Exterior Photography
© Lars Goossens

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Project location

Address:Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "The Beacon / Studio Appelo" 09 Feb 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/976472/the-beacon-studio-appelo> ISSN 0719-8884

© Lars Goossens

灯塔 / studio Appelo

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