Workshop Transformation: A Modern Loft Design

In the heart of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, a former industrial workshop has been transformed into a breathtaking modern loft, where natural light and intelligent design create a space that feels both expansive and serene. Designed by Eva | Architecten, this project redefines industrial spaces through innovative spatial planning, with a laser focus on light flow and visual openness.

From Industrial to Residential: A Radical Reinvention

Originally standing 20 meters tall, the building relied solely on its front and rear facades for daylight. The architectural solution? A series of open voids, generous sightlines, and a striking central wooden volume that seamlessly connects all levels. Upon entering, there’s no cramped hallway instead, an open-plan layout merges the entrance with the living area, creating an immediate sense of warmth.

Step into a former workshop turned loft, where the entry opens directly into a light-filled interior that feels anything but industrial.

The Dance of Light and Space: A Design that Lives with the Sun

The living area features a partially open ceiling, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the space, creating a dynamic interplay of shadow and light. Clean finishes, minimalist furnishings, and uninterrupted side walls lend the space a quiet confidence, while the warm wooden core adds an emotional touch.

This living area blends openness and calm, with upper-level voids letting daylight spill deep into the space below.

The Kitchen: A Functional yet Sculptural Heart

Rather than isolating the kitchen, the design integrates it into a monolithic wooden block that houses everything from cabinets to appliances, maintaining sleek functionality. The adjacent dining area basks in dual lighting morning sun on one side and golden afternoon light on the other making it both efficient and full of life.

A warm wooden core houses the entire kitchen, keeping the space sleek, functional, and perfectly lit from both ends of the home.

The Staircase: A Floating Sculpture Enhancing Visual Flow

Flanking the wooden core, a sleek metal staircase connects the floors without visual obstruction. Its open design and transparent railing preserve uninterrupted sightlines, while side voids allow light and air to circulate, turning it into more than just a pathway it’s a sculptural centerpiece.

Sleek metal stairs rise beside the central core, linking the loft's levels with a minimal design that enhances light and flow.

The Upper Floor: A Sky Gallery with Panoramic Views

At the top, the landing unfolds like a quiet gallery space, offering sweeping views across the interior voids and up to the sky. This isn’t just a transitional area it’s a sensory experience, reminding us that great architecture is felt, not just seen.

Upstairs, the landing doubles as a viewing gallery, offering views across the voids and into the sky.

The Bathroom: Privacy Without Enclosure

Nestled within the wooden volume, the bathroom balances seclusion and openness, with sightlines extending into the voids and through skylights. Bathing here becomes almost meditative, as one can watch clouds drift or sunlight shift throughout the day.

The bathroom makes the most of its place inside the wooden volume. It’s private but not shut off, with lines of sight stretching into the void and even out to the sky. Soaking in the tub, you might spot a bird overhead or catch the shift in afternoon light through the picture window.

Redefining Industrial Spaces: Lessons from This Project

This loft proves that thoughtful design can turn even the rawest industrial shell into a warm, livable home. Through strategic voids, tactile materials, and a focus on sensory experience, the building becomes more than a residence it’s a story of transformation told through light, wood, and space.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This project demonstrates the brilliance of converting industrial spaces into intimate living environments, where the balance of openness and privacy is achieved through light distribution and wooden volumes. However, one might question whether the extensive open voids compromise thermal efficiency in the Netherlands’ colder climate. Still, the greatest triumph lies in how the architecture engages the senses—every corner offers a shifting play of light, proving that good design isn’t just lived in, it’s deeply felt.

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