LIVING IN RCD
HOME TOURS
IN ROTTERDAM CENTRAL DISTRICT Artist Maurik and industrial designer Klaartje have been friends since childhood and a few years ago also became building neighbours in Rotterdam Central District. In an anti-squat property overlooking Central Station, each has turned their storey into a home uniquely their own.
32
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE HERE?
haha. But what is really great to me is how big it is, and I
Klaartje: “In my case, yes. My dad’s architecture firm used
keep on discovering different spots I love.”
to be on the ground floor and when I used to come here as a
M: “My favourite spot at home changes depending on the
child, I would fantasize about what I could do with this space
season. But what’s very cool is that we have these big win-
if I ever got to live here one day. His office had always been
dows, so loads of natural light, and because there are sever-
an anti-squatting place, so when they eventually moved out
al tall buildings around with reflective windows, we some-
I asked on Maurik’s behalf if he could move in. I followed a
times get to see the sunset five times a day. Not everyone
year later and got another one of the floors here.”
can say that!”
Maurik: “At first, it was meant to be for just a month and they said it was literally on the verge of being torn down.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE OBJECT AT HOME?
But as the months went by I kept being told I could stay a
K: “My house is maybe a little homier and restful than Mau-
bit longer, and now I’ve lived here around seven years all to-
rik’s, because of course he’s an artist and that comes out
gether, and Klaartje around six. The first few weeks I slept
in his interior. But I have hung up a hammock where I can
in her father’s office, as it were, without any bathroom, and
totally chill out!”
I showered in a cubicle on the balcony I rigged up with a gar-
M: “In my place I haven’t got a hammock but a dining table
den hose. Actually, it was romantic in a way.”
hanging from the ceiling – that’s one of my earlier projects,
PHOTOGRAPHY Lysanne Wilkens
haha. So, that’s pretty unusual. I also made some of the fur-
IS IT DIFFICULT TO FEEL AT HOME WHEN YOU’RE
niture myself. My workshop is on the floor between mine
ANTI-SQUATTING?
and Klaartje’s, so it’s not so odd that my work sort of spills
K: “I don’t find it to be all that difficult. It really does feel
over into my home.”
like home and I’m happy here. It comes with some uncertainties, of course, but I also get so much out of it. It’s a terrific space and it’s nice and central and close to everything I need.” M: “It bothered me a little more at first as you’re constantly trying to work out if investments you make in the house are worth it. Because, how much longer can you stay? It’s not easy to make an anti-squatting house feel like home, but
TEXT Tessa Burger
it is important. Fortunately I got there, after seven years.”
WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT YOUR HOUSE? K: “We have two cats, Otje and Kobus, who wander around the whole building. They’re two very cool housemates,
