Have you ever imagined that a railway cottage can be transformed into a stylish house? Zecc Architects studio succeeded in doing so for an old railway cottage in Santpoort-Noord, The Netherlands that was restored and expanded with creativity. According to the architects, “the picturesque railway house is almost brutally shot through with a large Cortensteel volume. On two sides an extension is achieved with hard lines and large glass surfaces, which focuses on the surrounding greenery. The small railway house literally breaks through its ancient walls outside and provides new insight into the landscape. The old railway cottage is on the inside almost unchanged. The remains of numerous alterations have been removed, leaving a pure and characteristic brick cottage. This old section provides security and simultaneously connects all contiguous open spaces of the house”.
The railway house is on one side bordered by the railway line between Amsterdam and IJmuiden and on the other side by the National Park South Kennemerland. The contrast between the straight metal rails and the softness of the dunes is the basic idea for the metamorphosis of this railway house.
The living room is very spacious, being lighted by the sun all day long.
Vivid colors animate the hallway.
A strong connection between interior and exterior.
Old beams were left uncovered just to remind the owners the history of the house.
The hardness of steel, concrete and glass across waving grass, shells and wood.
