The Beacon

The Beacon
© Lars Goossens

THE BEACON

Studio Appelo

ARCHITECTS
Studio Appelo

AREA
200 m²

YEAR
2021

PHOTOGRAPHS
Lars Goossens, Peter Mann

MANUFACTURERS
Fairwooth, Van den Moortel

LEAD ARCHITECT
Renée Appelo

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners

CONTRACTOR
Prefabline

SENIOR ARCHITECT
Lars Goossens

DRAWINGS
Camilla Ceccaci

MODEL
Ines van Sandick

LOCATION
Amsterdam , The Netherlands

FIXED FURNITURE
Cineset

INSTALLATION CONSULTANT
Idea BV/ Michael Nijdam

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture

Text description provided by architect.

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.

The Beacon
© Peter Mann
The Beacon
© Lars Goossens

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
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon
© Lars Goossens

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 structure of the building combines the old technique of trusses with the new technique of prefabricated walls 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.roof elements.

The Beacon
© Peter Mann
The Beacon
© Peter Mann
The Beacon
© Peter Mann

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
© Peter Mann
The Beacon
© Peter Mann

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 structure of the building combines the old technique of trusses with the new technique of prefabricated walls and roof elements.

The Beacon
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon
© Lars Goossens
The Beacon
© Lars Goossens

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
© Peter Mann
The Beacon
© Peter Mann


The Beacon
Plans
The Beacon
Elevations
The Beacon
Axo
The Beacon
© Peter Mann