Vertical Living

Dutch architects Shift completed extreme makeover of a pre-war city dwelling in the center of Rotterdam. This so called do-it-yourself dwelling in the center of Rotterdam is part of a bold experiment initiated by the municipality to revitalize dilapidated urban areas. Run-down pre-war dwellings are renovated on the outside and brought back to their monumental appearance, while the interiors are stripped bare. The empty shell dwellings are primarily bought by enthusiastic people who transform them according to their specific needs, desires and budgets. Real estate developers have picked up the initiative and a new demand driven market of urban housing has been generated in recent years. The result is a growing number of contemporary custom-made dream houses within the uniform old fabric of the traditional nineteenth and early twentieth century city. What a  great restoration initiative … respect!

images © René de Wit and Jeroen Musch