In Amsterdam’s Oude Pijp, Mikkro Interior Architecture Studio transforms a 45m² semi-basement apartment into a bright, playful and adaptable domestic landscape. Working within the constraints of its existing foundations, the renovation orchestrates living, working and leisure through custom furniture, transparent materials and carefully calibrated spatial divisions. A perforated metal staircase, OSB interventions and concealed functions maximise light, flexibility and storage, allowing the compact interior to accommodate both everyday rituals and occasional professional gatherings.
Located south of Amsterdam’s historic canal belt, De Pijp is a densely built neighbourhood characterised by its compact urban fabric, narrow streets and small-scale housing. Developed largely in the late 19th century to accommodate Amsterdam’s rapidly growing population, the area has evolved into a lively and diverse neighbourhood, known for its strong street life, cafés, independent businesses and distinctive local character.
The project involves the complete renovation of a charming, small apartment, located in the heart of Oude Pijp. Conceived as a classic semi-basement, it has structural exterior foundation walls that could not be drilled into or altered, making conventional changes to the layout impossible.
The design therefore responds directly to these conditions through a highly tailored intervention,integrating the client’s needs while leaving the existing foundations untouched.
The apartment is intended for a single professional and passionate lego collector, who wanted a bright, playful, and flexible living environment that incorporated a dedicated workspace. The workspace needed to feel somewhat separated from the main living area while remaining visually and functionally connected.
In addition, the apartment had to accommodate occasional visits from colleagues, making adaptability a key design requirement.
Maximising natural light and creating a welcoming atmosphere are central to the spatial strategy.
The kitchen is relocated to the front of the apartment, close to the entrance, bringing more natural light into the living area while creating an everyday eating spot with a direct view onto the street. This position gives the occupant a pleasant spot to enjoy the activity of the neighbourhood.
Transparency and light-enhancing qualities inform the material choices throughout the design, helping the compact interior feel more spacious and visually connected.
At the elevated entrance, a custom-built “entrance box” becomes both an architectural element and a piece of furniture. Constructed from OSB, it conceals the washing machine and access to the apartment’s water and gas systems while introducing useful storage. The same material language continues into the custom bed, which incorporates hidden storage within its structure.
The workspace is integrated into the living area as a distinct yet connected zone, responding to the client’s need for a dedicated place to work without introducing another enclosed room. A perforated metal staircase leads from the entrance into the main living space without visually obstructing it, while a matching perforated metal screen gives definition to the workspace without enclosing it. The repeated use of perforated metal allows light and views to pass through, maintaining continuity across the apartment while reinforcing a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
One of the primary challenges is balancing work and leisure within the limited floor area. Since there is no space for a dedicated dining room—and such a space is not required on a daily basis—the design incorporates a custom multifunctional furniture solution.
A low bench along the living-room wall combines seating and storage, while a fold-down dining table disappears when not required, freeing the floor for other uses.
Behind the bench, a concealed projector screen is integrated into the cabinetry, keeping the equipment out of sight when not in use. Together, these elements allow the apartment to adapt easily to everyday routines, focused work and occasional visits from colleagues.
The resulting interior is deliberately compact but not restrictive.
Through a combination of transparent materials, custom furniture and carefully positioned functions, the project turns structural constraints and limited floor area into opportunities for a more adaptable way of living.
Mikkro Studio works with the existing conditions of the apartment, using light, storage and flexibility to create a contemporary domestic environment closely attuned to its occupant and its Amsterdam context.
Facts & Credits
Project title Oude Pijp
Typology Interior, Residential
Location Oude Pijp, Amsterdam
Status Completed, 2026
Architecture Mikkro studio
Photography Katerina Pimenidu
This project was submitted to Archisearch through the “Submit a Story” feature, where architects, designers, and creatives are invited to share their work for publication.