DIDDEN VILLAGE - architeria.eu

Photography: Rob 't Hart photography


DIDDEN VILLAGE
Extension private residence, Rotterdam NL
MVRDV, 2002-2007

The first realization in MVRDV’s hometown Rotterdam is a rooftop house extension. On top of an existing
monumental house and atelier, the bedrooms are positioned as separate houses, optimizing the privacy
of every member of the family. The houses are distributed in such a way that a series of plazas, streets
and alleys appear as a mini-village on top of the building.

Parapet walls with windows surround the new village. Trees, tables, open-air showers and benches
are added, optimizing the rooftop life. By finishing all elements with a blue poly-urethane coating a new
“heaven” appears. It creates a crown on top of the monument. The addition can be seen as a prototype
for a further densification of the old and existing city. It adds a roof life to the city. It explores the costs
for the beams, infrastructure, and extra finishes, and it ultimately aims to be lower than the equivalent
ground price.

Project data
> Program: 45 m2 extension private residence and 120 m2 terrace
> Status: Realised 2007
> Client: Family Didden
> Research and design MVRDV: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries with Anet Schurink,
Marc Joubert, Fokke Moerel and Ivo van Cappelleveen
> Structure: Pieters Bouwtechniek, Delft NL: Jan Versteegen
> Stairs: Verheul Trappen, Montfoort NL
> Blue finish: Kunststof Coatings Nederland B.V. Zevenhuizen NL
> Constructor: Formaat Bouw, Sliedrecht NL