The former Dutch Reformed Evangelism Building in Haarlo has been transformed into a unique loft by LKSVDD. The starting point for the design were the retained qualities of the 1928 dating monument, the façade, the bell tower with clock, the volume, the iconic location on the outskirts of the village and nice details like the wooden roof construction, the old panel doors and arch windows with stained glass.

It was a conscious choice, not to fill the volume completely with as many rooms as possible, but to minimize the demands, in order to retain the spaciousness of the building. The only architectural additions are the mezzanine for the relaxation room – couch, bed and bath – and the multifunctional ‘stairway to have fun’ – stairs, room divider, closet, build-in-kitchen, acoustic element and exhibition wall -. The project shows passion, humor, respect, love and creativity. This is being reflected in the, specially for this project realized, elements like the swing, the ‘KROONluchter’ – inspired by the original organ – the ‘gate of heaven’ flanked by a wall of guardian angels, the ‘stairway to have fun’, the ‘holy shit’ on the toilet, birdhouses with lamp for strange birds and the wooden ‘lost sheep’ in the garden.

All images © Vincent van den Hoven