Dezeen Magazine

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai

Oak-lined boxes delineate living spaces at Bureau Fraai's Panorama Penthouse

Architecture office Bureau Fraai used freestanding wooden volumes to organise the interior of this penthouse in the Netherlands, preserving panoramic views of the surroundings from within the living areas.

The 300-square-metre Panorama Penthouse occupies the upper floor of a former office building that was converted into a high-end residential development.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
The penthouse has large open-plan living spaces

Bureau Fraai was asked to develop a proposal for the apartment's interior that would optimise views through its glazed facades towards the sea on one side and the city on another.

"We believe the only way to experience the panoramic views at the fullest was by getting rid of walls obstructing the facades and therefore decided to introduce an open floor plan concept," Bureau Fraai cofounder Daniel Aw told Dezeen.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
Oak-lined boxes separate spaces

Instead of compartmentalising the penthouse into a series of cellular rooms, the architects introduced freestanding oak structures that are removed from the facade to maintain views throughout the interior.

"This way, the surroundings are always present in every part of the penthouse, making you fully aware of the changing colours of the seasons, the tides and of the sunrise and sunset that are never the same," the studio added.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
The apartment layout optimises panoramic views

The four timber-clad volumes contain private functions including a study and a sauna, as well as the main bedroom's bathroom and walk-in closet.

The sequence of wooden boxes are arranged along one side of a hallway leading from the entrance to the main communal areas. This configuration helps create a semi-porous partition between the corridor and the two bedrooms.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
A sauna is located in one of the timber-clad boxes

Fully glazed steel sliding doors integrated into the oak volumes can be closed if physical separation from the hall is required. Curtains and solid pocket doors allow the bedrooms to be visually closed off from the rest of the apartment at nighttime.

The penthouse's interior features a neutral palette with white or light-grey floors, ceilings and walls chosen to enhance the connection with the surroundings.

The pale oak wood used for the freestanding joinery aims to provide a warm and natural complement to the dunes and beaches that are visible through the adjacent glazed facades.

Cabinetry in the kitchen and dining room at the far end of the property has a muted, grey finish intended to echo the distant city skyline.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
A library ladder provides access to upper level storage space

The common areas are configured as a trio of separate but linked spaces comprising the raised living area, a media and lounge room, and the dining area and kitchen.

Sliding doors incorporated into the glazed walls provide direct access from each of these spaces to the large decked terraces.

At the centre of the apartment is a long, rectangular volume containing storage, technical equipment, a toilet and a second bathroom.

Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
Glazed facades provide views of the sea and the city

The ceiling height at one end of this volume reaches 4.75 metres, allowing space for a mezzanine level that provides additional storage and a lookout point for observing the rest of the apartment.

The high ceilings extend through to the media room, which contains full-height bookshelves with a library ladder providing access to the upper storage areas.

Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
The apartment has a neutral colour palette

Bureau Fraai was founded in 2014 by architects Rikjan Scholten and Daniel Aw. The Amsterdam-based studio aims to produce timeless, one-of-a-kind architectural projects inspired by their context and the client's unique requirements.

The firm's previous work includes the conversion of a building in central Amsterdam into high-end apartments featuring a strong contrast of light and dark colours. The project was longlisted in the apartment interior category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

More images and plans

Section drawing of Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Isometric drawings of Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Floor plan of Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Floor plan of Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Interior of the Panorama Penthouse by Burau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai
Panorama Penthouse by Bureau Fraai