This graduation project examines the gap between the contemporary capabilities of timber construction and its limited visibility in dense urban architecture. Despite advances in engineered timber products and durability strategies, timber is rarely used in exposed, public-facing applications in cities such as Amsterdam. This absence is shaped by historical experiences, regulatory frameworks, construction practices, and public perception, which together sustain persistent misconceptions about timber’s durability and suitability at an urban scale.
The project explores how a Timber Knowledge Platform, positioned above an existing mixed-use building ensemble, can reintroduce visible timber into the urban fabric. By focusing on durability-driven architectural strategies and public-scale spatial conditions, the project investigates how timber can remain visibly present while performing reliably over time. ... Read more

This thesis explores the transformation of Haus Strasser (1918/19) by Adolf Loos as a case study to understand the application and development of Raumplan principles in conversions. Based on an analysis of archival and contemporary architectural drawings, photographs, and literature, it aims to reveal how Loos restructured circulation, introduced layers, and used materials to define spatial hierarchies and enhance interior experience. The study highlights how movement and perception were carefully arranged through reconfigured staircases, axial views, and strategic use of mirrors, openings and materials. It argues that the transformation of Haus Strasser demonstrates how existing structures can be reinterpreted through Raumplan principles – not by imposing new forms, but by revealing the spatial potential within the original design to create a cohesive architectural whole. ... Read more