The University of Amsterdam commissioned VMX Architects to design an apartment block at the Sarphatistraat. Because the apartments were supposed to house visiting scholars VMX conceived the units as large open spaces with an enclosed bathroom and open kitchen. The service ducts are the only fixed elements in this 100m2 open space and allow for five possible configurations of bathroom and kitchen, giving the inhabitant maximum freedom in the arrangement of the space. The gallery side is extensively glazed to allow as much light in as possible. Private balcony boxes off the gallery provide outdoor space. Steel sections, cables and transparent mesh give a lightweight functional appearance to this façade. Each apartment looks out to the street through one huge oval window, a section of which can be opened to create a second outdoor space.

Nominated for the Zuiderkerkprize