b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
image © tim van de velde
all images courtesy of b-ild

 

 

originally a temporary conversion for a promotional stunt by the dutch office ‘famous’, the holiday home in a bunker carried out by belgian studio b-ild proved to be so successful that it was decided to keep it as a permanent leasable home. the bunker is a historically protected structure located in the nieuwe hollandse waterlinie in fort vuren, the netherlands. renovating a 3m by 3m space concealed within thick concrete walls leaves no flexibility to modify the footprint, so a fair amount of ingenuity had to be exercised in the exterior space. many of the original features are kept intact, such as the small windows and rusting steel door frames. the interior is now filled with entirely custom wooden fixtures that serve several functions. the living room very quickly turns into a dining room- stools become steps and side tables while operable cabinets transform the volumetric feel of the interior. as the space is relatively small, usable space is extended onto an exterior wooden deck with the exact dimensions as the footprint of the bunker. the wooden planks that make up the deck are the same dimensions as those used in the form work to pour the concrete stronghold. it can be used for cooking, hosting, and even storage, offering panoramic views of the picturesque landscape.

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
view of the deck and grass overgrown bunker
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
entry
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
entry door retrofitted into the original steel frames
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
short hallway between entry and main room used as a makeshift kitchen space
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
kitchen
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
entry into the living space
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
bedroom with custom wooden furniture
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
table folds out of the wall converting it into a dining area
image © tim van de velde

 

 

b-ild converts an old concrete bunker into a holiday home
floor plan

 

 

 

project info:

 

 

project name: bunker
architect: b-ild
client: famous
total floor area: 11,4 m2
principal architects: kelly hendriks & bruno despierre
contractor: bouwbedrijf den toom heikop
location: vuren, the netherlands
phase: completed spring 2014
photography: tim van de velde