Watervilla De Omval Amsterdam The Netherlands

Watervilla De Omval is a tautly designed houseboat floats in the Amstel river of Amsterdam. Unlike most floating houses, this houseboat is very contemporary designed without losing the characteristic appearance of the typical houseboat. The client gets a lot of positive reactions and apprecition from others for the project, it even happens that people who pass by boat knock on the windows and ask if they can enter the boat.

Architect	: +31ARCHITECTS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project team	: Jasper Suasso de Lima de Prado and Jorrit Houwert
Location	: Omval 4, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Client	: Private
Construction	: Pieters bouwtechniek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Alferink-van Schieveen, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Building Contractor	: Dijkhuis Aannemersbedrijf b.v. / Ardesch, Hardenberg, The Netherlands
Cabinet Maker	: Forsa meubels, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Key Materials	: Aluminium cladding by Reynobond and Aluminium Windows by Sapa
Built-up Floor Area	: 197 sqm
Year of Completion	: 2010
Photos	: Colin Morsch

Living on the water gets more popular in Holland. The clients/owners who used to visit the architectural firm +31ARCHITECTS always love the typical charms and characteristics of living on the water but don't like the standard "caravan" appearance of the existing houseboats. As more people want to live on a contemporary houseboat that has been designed for their specific needs, the houseboat at De Omval is an obvious example of their wish.

Design

Client wanted a boat with an open floor plan where they could enjoy the views to the water and the outdoor space to a maximum. The distinguished curved line of the facade directly derives from this desire and the restriction that the boat couldn't be more than three meters above the water.

The living area and open kitchen are located on the waterfront, from here one has a panoramic view at the Amstel and you can enter the floating terrace. Following on from the living area and kitchen the bedroom is located on a split level. The split level introduces an open route to the ground floor of the boat and at the same time, makes it possible to create a terrace on the south side without exceeding the maximum building height.


To accentuate the round lines of the facade it is carried out in with shiny aluminum. The white plastered walls and ceilings follow the curve of the facade creating a seamless transition from the exterior to the interior.