Lloyd Loft: A contemporary haven

Optimised sightlines in an urban retreat

The Lloyd Loft is housed in a former warehouse from 1949, located on Rotterdam's Sint Jobshaven, and was transformed into a unique residential building in 1999. The brief was to transform one of the lofts into a home that optimally connects with water, light and spaciousness. The loft ingeniously combines openness with privacy. The result is an extraordinary living experience that seamlessly combines the industrial charm of the past with modern comfort.

Creative layout: a bold transformation

The loft, originally a long, narrow and dark one-bedroom space, has been transformed into a vibrant living space spread over two floors. Downstairs, a multi-functional living space invites interaction, while upstairs houses three bedrooms, work space, closet space and a bathroom. Despite the challenges posed by the long and narrow layout, a successful combination of intimacy and spaciousness was created, resulting in a unique living experience.

Harbour views and light-filled interiors

Anchoring the design is the connection to the surrounding harbour and cityscape. The open staircase, an architectural centrepiece, is crafted with steel cable railings and a custom-designed bookcase that climbs toward the lofty ceilings. This staircase not only invites natural light to flow between the levels but also acts as a serene spot where you can sit quietly, admire the objects in the cupboard, or read a book from the collection. The combination of raw materials and refined details reflects the loft's industrial heritage.

The 10-metre kitchen: heart of the home

At the core of the living space lies a 10-metre-long concrete kitchen island, serving as both a dining table and multi-purpose hub. For this family, life has always revolved around the kitchen table—so why not make it the centrepiece of their home? This custom feature encapsulates family life, providing a space for cooking, working, entertaining, and storytelling. Unique details in the concrete surface, such as the children's handprints, forest leaves and a large stone from grandfather's garden, add a deeply personal layer to the otherwise minimalist structure, making the kitchen a tangible narrative of the family’s journey.

A shared joy of building memories

The process of creating this space was filled with joy. The entire design and construction team shared a vision: to craft something exceptional that truly felt like home. The contractor and builders put their all into the project, especially when pouring the enormous concrete table. Once it was completed, the client's children celebrated by serving Lloyd Loft cakes to the entire team, a sweet gesture that brought everyone together. Later, the family held a wet cement ceremony, pressing their hands into the fresh concrete at the start of the table, marking their place in both space and time.

A touch of family history

Incorporating the perfect rock into the 10-metre-long kitchen table was no small task. It needed to have just the right proportions, texture, and colour - a centrepiece worthy of the table's presence. After an extensive search, the client found the solution in his parents' garden. He brought five large rocks to the loft, and as it turned out, the very last one—weathered yet full of character—was perfect. Now, set in the heart of the table, this rock brings a piece of the grandparents' garden into the family’s daily life, preserving a touchstone of memory.

Smart refurbishment: a harmonious blend of light and functionality

When the clients requested two separate children's bedrooms, a spacious bathroom, a master bedroom with a view, and plenty of natural light on the upper floor, it presented an exciting challenge. A traditional solution could possibly have come at the expense of light and views, but we took an innovative approach. The former bathroom was transformed into a children's room, while the new bathroom was strategically placed between the master bedroom overlooking the water and the workspace and children's rooms on the opposite side and acts as a semi-transparent glass space using switchable privacy film. This clever positioning allows natural light to flow freely and creates an open atmosphere throughout the floor with sight lines to the harbour. The result is a harmonious and spacious layout, where daylight effortlessly reaches both the bedrooms and the corridor. 

Seamlessly integrated home office and unbroken sightlines

In the corridor leading to the master bedroom, we seamlessly integrated a compact workspace into the long wall cabinet. Positioned near the void that accentuates the building's impressive height, the design preserves the uninterrupted sightlines, creating an open and airy ambiance. This thoughtful placement ensures the workspace feels neither confined nor cramped, offering a comfortable and inspiring environment for work. The client frequently receives compliments on the stunning background visible during virtual meetings and takes pride in revealing that it’s not a mere backdrop image, but his actual home.

Respect for history, focused on the future

The original warehouse's original beams were deliberately kept partially in sight to create a tangible connection to the building's history, while contemporary touches - such as smooth linoleum floors and concrete coatings - keep the design anchored in the present. The raw elegance of these materials strikes a balance between rugged industrial charm and polished modernity.

A space for connection and reflection

The Lloyd Loft embodies a harmonious dialogue between heritage and innovation, openness and intimacy. By creating an environment where every detail - from the staircase to the micro garden - is intentional and meaningful, we have designed a home that feels as alive as the city it overlooks. With personal touches that tell stories, panoramic sightlines and harmony between functionality and aesthetics, the Lloyd Loft celebrates family history, boundless creativity and a deep-rooted connection to its inhabitants and surroundings.

Photographs: Copyright: The Art of Living magazine, Photography Wesley Bergen, Roos Eijmers