The canalhouse interior design of old Parool headquarter

The Canalhouse where Parool was secretly managed by the

resistance during the Second World War.

On a prime location in Amsterdam, Standard Studio was asked to deliver a plan for a full renovation of a 300m2+ canalhouse on the Reguliersgracht 111. The canal house is part of a bigger plan: the Reguliersschool designed by architect Bastiaan de Greef. Reguliersgracht 111 was the director’s house of the school and was home to multiple teachers throughout the years until 1926 when the building was occupied by the ‘Zedenpolitie’ (Vice Squad). In 1941 they moved to another location at the Elandsgracht.

During the Second World War Wim van Norden lived here and he started an illegal newspaper during the war. This was extremely dangerous and could have cost many lives of the underground Amsterdam resistance team. After the Second World War, the Parool continued to bring the news to Amsterdam every day. The Parool is still the main newspaper in Amsterdam.

Now in 2020, the house is designed to get you in a relaxed and easy mood. When you are inside you will almost forget that you are in a very busy area of Amsterdam. The entrance almost feels like a gateway to heaven, opening up into a bright, light main hall. The main hall plays a central role in the whole experience of the house. It connects everything with a blast of brightness that seeps into all the adjacent spaces.

From the main hall, the light guides you to the great living room. The big dining table that can hold over 12 persons immediately attracts your eye. Combined with the pendant lights and art pieces on the wall it makes the perfect image.

The lazy evening living room has a very modern fireplace built out of carefully crafted pieces of natural stone. The seating area faces the garden which is unique for Amsterdam city houses. 

Behind the living room, you enter the kitchen. A big back wall with utilities and cabinets faces the kitchen island. In this way the Masterchef has the perfect orientation towards the audience, being able to see all the spaces on the ground floor you have the perfect overview of the whole house. 

To the right, a garden room is added to the ground floor. A place that has an enormous amount of daylight because of the big glass parts. You have the feeling of being outside while you are inside. It functions as a courtyard with a big loungy couch and a view over the garden.

Projectmanagement: Innovat projecten: https://www.innovat.nl

General contractor Bouwcombi Volendam: https://www.bouwcombivolendam.nl/

Interior fit-out Job Interieurbouw: https://www.jobinterieurbouw.nl

Photography Wouter van der Sar: https://www.woutervandersar.nl 

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