Over Raphaëlplein 15, Amsterdam

The residence is part of a carefully designed block surrounding Raphaëlplein, where architecture and urban planning have been developed in harmony. The facade is characterized by a clear rhythm, with a consistent repetition of windows, entrances, and roof shapes that together create a calm and balanced streetscape. The architecture reads as a refined interpretation of the Amsterdam School, with influences from the 1920s and early 1930s. The brick facades are warm in color and meticulously detailed, with subtle accents in the masonry around the entrance and window frames providing understated refinement. The round arch of the front door, framed in natural stone, lends the entrance a gentle monumentality and emphasizes its individual character within the whole. The facade is horizontally articulated by continuous window frame lines and a distinct plinth, while the attic floor with dormer windows refines the silhouette. The roofline is understated but gains rhythm through the repetition of dormer windows and chimneys. This interplay of horizontal calm and vertical accents results in a balanced composition. The house forms an integral part of the ensemble surrounding the green Raphaëlplein, which functions as Front garden collective Front garden. This open space brings light and air between the buildings and creates a rare balance between urban density and spaciousness. At the rear, the architecture opens up completely to the garden. Large facade openings and the sunroom ensure a gradual transition between inside and outside, with sightlines and natural light taking center stage. The sunroom serves as a natural extension of the original design and reinforces the sense of transparency and spaciousness.

The ground floor is designed as a fluid living space where the various functions blend together naturally. From the entrance, a clear spatial structure unfolds, characterized by long sightlines from front to back and a logical, comfortable flow. At the front is the living room, which is distinguished by a sheltered and tranquil atmosphere. The walls provide space for art and custom cabinets, giving the room a layered and personal character. The fireplace serves as a subtle focal point and naturally connects the sitting and dining areas. The dining room is situated in the sunroom on the garden side, where a glass roof and wide windows provide abundant natural light from both above and behind. Here, the experience of the space changes: it becomes lighter, more open, and Immediately to the outdoors. The dining table faces the garden, allowing the indoors and outdoors to visually merge, and making the changing daylight and seasons an integral part of daily life. The kitchen is situated to the side of the dining room and is compact and efficiently laid out. The continuous countertop makes optimal use of the room’s length and offers a view of the garden at its end, making the connection to the outdoors palpable here as well. The layout follows a natural rhythm: from cooking to dining, from inside to outside and back to the shelter of the living room. Each space has its own character, yet at the same time forms part of a single cohesive whole. This results in a living space that effortlessly adapts to the time of day; intimate and quiet at the front, open and light on the garden side.

The sleeping floor unfolds as a cohesive ensemble of bright, well-proportioned Rooms, each with its own character and a view of the greenery of Raphaëlplein and the quiet street. Large windows allow plenty of natural light to flood in, making the spaces feel open and inviting. The Rooms generously sized and can be flexibly arranged as bedrooms, workspaces, or studios. The master bedroom stands out due to its direct connection to the outdoors. The wide facade with French doors provides access to the balcony, which serves as an extension of the room and ensures a continuous connection to light and air. The high ceilings and continuous floor surface enhance the sense of tranquility and spaciousness. The other Rooms the same clear design: functional, light, and thoughtfully laid out. Long countertops along the windows make optimal use of natural light, while built-in cabinets and integrated niches contribute to a calm and organized interior. This creates a natural balance between privacy and openness, suitable for both living and working. The bathroom is designed with attention to detail and material selection. A bathtub and separate shower are combined with a spacious vanity unit, resulting in a comfortable and well-organized space for daily use. A fixed staircase leads to the top floor, where the architecture takes on a more intimate character. The sloping rooflines are visible here and give the spaces a distinct, more secluded atmosphere. Dormer windows and skylights provide filtered natural light and offer views of the surrounding buildings and the sky above. This floor features several Rooms can be used flexibly, for example as a guest room, workspace, or studio. A second bathroom with a shower and sink enhances the self-sufficiency of this level. Adjacent to this is the Roof terrace, generously proportioned and favorably oriented. Its open location ensures pleasant sunlight and unobstructed views of the courtyard gardens and characteristic facades of the surrounding area. It forms a natural outdoor space, sheltered yet connected to the city. Together, the sleeping floors form a layered and carefully crafted whole, in which tranquility, light, and functionality come together in balance.

At the rear lies a beautifully landscaped garden that gradually unfolds and creates a pleasant sense of depth. Immediately the house is a sheltered terrace, where French doors create a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. This spot, close to the house, offers tranquility and privacy, with a view of the greenery that extends further into the garden. The garden has been carefully designed with subtle changes in elevation and lush plantings, resulting in a green, almost park-like atmosphere. Mature shrubs and trees provide shelter and enhance the sense of privacy, while flowering accents and scattered elements lend a lively and personal character. The natural layout and winding path create a surprising sense of spaciousness, making the garden feel larger than one might expect at first glance. On the top floor is a spacious Roof terrace opens fully to the sky and the surroundings. Here, there is an unobstructed view of the surrounding buildings and the city’s characteristic rooftops. The terrace offers ample space for multiple seating areas and lends itself to use at various times of the day, from a sunny morning to long evenings in the open air. At the front, the view over Raphaëlplein adds a special touch. The green park, the mature trees, and the open layout of the square bring light and space to the streetscape. From the home, a rare balance emerges between urban vibrancy and tranquility, allowing the changing seasons to be experienced naturally.

To this day, residents of the Beethovenbuurt enjoy the urban architectural legacy that architect Berlage left on the neighborhood in the last century. His design included avenues, green spaces, and a variety of buildings. From villas and apartment blocks to townhouses: characteristic of this 1930s neighborhood, which is almost entirely surrounded by water, are the spacious residences the Amsterdam School style. The facade stones and bridge sculptures by Hildo Krop, who was awarded the honorary title of City Sculptor of Amsterdam, also lend the neighborhood its distinctive character.
In Beethovenstraat and the shops on Olympiaplein, the coffee bars, various lunch spots, and restaurants have given the neighborhood a young and dynamic character. In addition, this street offers a high-quality selection of shops, ranging from a bakery, fishmonger, butcher, and pastry shop to a wine shop. Olympiaplein is home to the bakery Le Fournil, Fromagerie L’Amuse, and, more recently, Coffee District. The Zikking butcher shop is located on Marathonweg, just a five-minute walk away. On Fridays, there is a sophisticated organic market on Minervaplein. The wide avenues and greenery of Beatrixpark, with its modern sculptures and old trees, create a sense of space and are ideal for sports and relaxation. The neighborhood is known for its excellent elementary and secondary schools, as well as its convenient location near the Ring and Amsterdam Zuid station.

Accessibility
The apartment is easily accessible by bike, car, and public transportation. The A10 ring road is just a 5-minute drive away via exit S108 (Oud-Zuid). Several tram and bus lines depart from both Olympiaplein and Minervaplein, such as tram 24 to the VU and bus 15 to Sloterdijk Station and Zuid Station. Regional transit departs from the Olympisch Stadion stop, including a direct connection to Schiphol Airport. Zuid Station is a 5-minute bike ride away.

Parking Parking on public streets is available through a permit system (Permit Zone Zuid 2.2). With a parking permit for Zuid 2.2, you may park in Zuid-1, Zuid-2, and Zuid-8. A resident parking permit costs €199.93 per 6 months. Currently, there is no waiting period for this permit zone. A second parking permit costs €499.81 per 6 months. (Source: Local authority , April 2026).

What makes this house so special is that it retains a sense of architectural harmony that you don’t see very often anymore. The size is just right for living in: not too big and not too small. And to live in such a quiet spot in the city these days, I think, is truly something special.

The sunroom is wonderful because I have a view of the beautiful garden and it’s a bright, open space. In the late afternoon, I like to sit in the front room, where the light streams in so beautifully. My mother used to work on the first floor at the front of the house. It was a lovely place to work, with a view of the square and yet remarkably quiet.

The neighborhood is special because of its architecture. The buildings here from the 1920s are so beautiful: the red brick, the proportions, the details. You can see that reflected on Raphaelplein as well. The houses are beautifully clustered around the church, with the small park in the middle. It’s still quiet here, with plenty of trees, small lawns, and excellent shops in the area. It’s also nice that you can quickly get out of the city from here.

There are many great shops. Near Olympiaplein, you’ll find the bakery Fournil, the cheese shop L’Amuse, and another excellent bakery, Renzema. On Marathonweg, butcher Zikking is a favorite. On Beethovenstraat, there are even more great shops, such as butcher Hergo, the fishmonger, greengrocer Kamman, and the cheese shop Alexander’s Hoeve. And of course, Van Rossum bookstore—always a pleasure to pop into. Beyond that, there’s everything you need: drugstores, wine shops, and supermarkets. And there are nice clothing stores, especially for men, such as The English Hatter and another classic men’s shop a little further down the street. I mustn’t forget Winter, the shop for paper and stationery.

Beethovenstraat also has cozy cafés and an increasing number of new restaurants. Personally, I like to go a little further to Van Baerlestraat, where Entrecôte et les Dames is always a good choice. At the beginning of Ceintuurbaan, there’s also an excellent Turkish restaurant, Maydanoz—very tasty and affordable.

What will I miss the most? That’s hard to say, since I live on Beethovenstraat myself. But I’ll miss the house terribly, because it’s such a beautiful home. It’s quiet there, all Rooms a certain charm, and the garden is a place I’ll often look back on with fondness. Especially the mornings there, with coffee among the flowers, were always a little moment of happiness.