common practice

Dijkmagazijn Scharwoude A project by Common Practice Exploring a bio-based and circular approach to heritage transformation Built in 1923 as a storage facility and shelter for dike wardens, monitoring the former Zuiderzee coastline, the warehouse in Scharwoude has been transformed into a guesthouse and artist-in-residence focused on water and climate challenges. It is the first of three dike warehouses to be repurposed, serving as a prototype for the sustainable reuse of small-scale heritage along the historic dike system. The strategy preserves and reinforces existing elements and atmospheres. The dark utilitarian exterior was conserved, with new windows positioned behind the original shutters. The timber structure is retained and expressed within the new design, combining respect for historical value with forward-looking sustainability. Bio-based and circular materials shape the intervention: a wood-clad flax-insulated shell patinated with linseed oil and natural pigments refers to the original dark character, craftsmanship and regional color traditions. Floors are made from locally reclaimed wood, the fireplace is clad in leftover marble and a low-temperature heating system is integrated into custom wooden furniture crafted from residual materials generated during renovation, minimising waste. The transformation reduces environmental impact while keeping historical layers visible and active. The dark object remains a modest yet powerful reminder of the fragile relationship between the Dutch landscape and water, while continuing to serve as a recognisable landmark for the local community. @common_practice Credits Author(s): Common Practice Year: 2025 Typology: Artist-in-residence and guesthouse Location: Scharwoude, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands Area: 150m² Construction: Zwarthoed Aannemersbedrijf Commission: Culture Matters @culture__matters Waterschap HHNK @waterschaphhnk With the support of: Stimuleringsfonds @stimuleringsfonds het Cultuurfonds @cultuurfonds Nationaal Restauratiefonds @restauratiefonds Ph. credits: Crispijn van Sas @cvansas #opencall #architectureforchange #newgens

Our contribution to the new issue of Forum magazine explores spatial complexity in relation to the overall theme of inequality. Read the comprehensive collection of articles in print. With the series ‘What Can We Do?’ the new editorial team of Forum (2025–2030) embraces optimistic activism: ‘We believe design, research and imagination can truly make a difference in addressing challenges that are no longer up for debate.’ The editorial board consists of Inara Nevskaya, Hans Teerds, Frank Hanswijk, Lieke Jildou de Jong and Zico Lopes, with Lisa van der Slot as editor-in-chief. Editorial supervision by Vibeke Gieskes, graphic design by Inedition. @architecturaetamicitia @forummag @lisavanderslot @dezwartehond @liekejildou @landscape.collected @zicolopes_ @spatial_codes @frank_hanswijk @inara.nevskaya @common_practice @inedition_ @noortje_boer @wilco_artbooks

Artist Maarten Heijkamp regarded the concrete wall as a geological collection of rocks and made six portraits of characteristic pebbles. In an experimental making process, he placed these in front of his camera obscura and chiseled the enlarged projections into wet clay with his ‘photographic hammer’. The realised ceramic portrait gallery is subtly present in the background and at the same time dynamic. Artwork @maartenheijkamp Architecture @common_practice , @studioaaan , @mixarchitectuur Commission Stadgenoot Photography @cvansas @maartenheijkamp Support @gemeenteamsterdam , wiseguys urban art projects @marco.cops , @stadscuratorium #amsterdam #oostenburg #wonenopoostenburg #urbanart #ceramicart #ceramics #dutchartists

The reliefs are positioned on the garage wall with careful consideration, to be experienced from different perspectives throughout the building. Various (corner) windows in entrance and elevator halls, stairwells and apartments frame the artwork and make it part of the residents’ daily routine. The changing raking light plays with the texture, creates refined shadows and shows the passing of the day. Artwork @maartenheijkamp Architecture @common_practice , @studioaaan , @mixarchitectuur Commission Stadgenoot Photography @cvansas , @maartenheijkamp Support @gemeenteamsterdam , wiseguys urban art projects @marco.cops , @stadscuratorium #amsterdam #oostenburg #wonenopoostenburg #urbanart #ceramicart #ceramics #dutchartists

The placement of the autonomous artwork Stenen lezen (Reading stones) by Maarten Heijkamp is the final gesture in the completion of our residential ensemble in Amsterdam Oostenburg. A poetic response to the urban planning challenge of the narrow, elongated plot, dominated by the high concrete wall of the adjacent parking building. Stenen lezen emerged from close collaboration between the artist, architects, client and municipality. Artwork @maartenheijkamp Architecture @common_practice , @studioaaan , @mixarchitectuur Commission Stadgenoot Photography @cvansas Support @gemeenteamsterdam , wiseguys urban art projects @marco.cops , @stadscuratorium #amsterdam #oostenburg #wonenopoostenburg #urbanart #ceramicart #ceramics #dutchartists

Samples from the inventory of inhabited dwellings in Amsterdam. Expressing the soft and hard aspects of inhabitation, day-to-day flexibility, diversity of households and their living patterns within the same dwelling type. Created within the program Room for Justice, supported by Creative Industries Fund NL. Part of the traveling Mooi Mokum exhibition of the Municipality of Amsterdam. On view at the Municipality of Groningen from September 23. Research & illustrations @common_practice Exhibition @gemeente_groningen @gras_met_hoofdletters @gemeenteamsterdam Support @stimuleringsfonds

This model, on view at the Municipality of Groningen from September 23, investigates the actual use of space in a compact urban dwelling, expressing the interplay between wall and floor surfaces, the functional zones where residents place furniture and the emerging circulation paths in between. Created within the program Room for Justice, supported by Creative Industries Fund NL. Part of the traveling exhibition Mooi Mokum of the Municipality of Amsterdam. Research @common_practice Exhibition @gemeente_groningen @gras_met_hoofdletters @gemeenteamsterdam Photography @tim_stet_foto Support @stimuleringsfonds

Through careful sourcing, 93% of added materials in the Scharwoude warehouse transformation are biobased, of which 10% are locally repurposed materials, resulting in an additional 20% reduction in CO2 emissions. The report, downloadable via our website or link in bio, presents the process and demonstrates how small projects can contribute to changing material culture and the logic of material aesthetics. Architecture @common_practice Commission @culture__matters @waterschaphhnk Construction @louiszwarthoed Photography @cvansas Support @stimuleringsfonds #noordholland #scharwoude #heritage #culturalheritage #transformation #reuse #repurpose #sustainablebuilding #slowarchitecture #craftsmanship #ecoconscious #circular #reclaimedmaterials #biobased #naturalmaterials @linolie.dk @the_new_raw @dijk_nl

The design explores reuse across multiple scales. Existing timber was salvaged on site, local materials upcycled and architectural details echoed throughout. The new bio-based insulating shell has been patinated with linseed oil and natural pigments referencing the original atmosphere. Architecture @common_practice Commission @culture__matters @waterschaphhnk Construction @louiszwarthoed Photography @cvansas Support @stimuleringsfonds @cultuurfonds @restauratiefonds #noordholland #scharwoude #heritage #culturalheritage #transformation #reuse #repurpose #sustainablebuilding #slowarchitecture #craftsmanship #ecoconscious #circular #reclaimedmaterials #biobased #naturalmaterials @linolie.dk @the_new_raw @dijk_nl

A century later, the abandoned structure has found new purpose as guesthouse and artist-in-residence. The integration of sustainable layers and technology embraces an intuitive and poetic approach to blending old and new. Architecture @common_practice Commission @culture__matters @waterschaphhnk Construction @louiszwarthoed Photography @cvansas Support @stimuleringsfonds @cultuurfonds @restauratiefonds #noordholland #scharwoude #heritage #culturalheritage #transformation #reuse #repurpose #sustainablebuilding #slowarchitecture #craftsmanship #ecoconscious #circular #reclaimedmaterials #biobased #naturalmaterials @linolie.dk @dijk_nl

The structure’s dark utilitarian character remains intact. New windows sit quietly behind the original shutters. With its new purpose, the building still stands apart as an oddity in the landscape. Architecture @common_practice Commission @culture__matters @waterschaphhnk Construction @louiszwarthoed Photography @cvansas Support @stimuleringsfonds @cultuurfonds @restauratiefonds #noordholland #scharwoude #heritage #culturalheritage #transformation #reuse #repurpose #sustainablebuilding #slowarchitecture #craftsmanship #ecoconscious #circular #reclaimedmaterial #biobased #naturalmaterials @linolie.dk @dijk_nl

Built in 1923 to shelter dike wardens monitoring the former Zuiderzeedijk, the Scharwoude warehouse is the first of three structures to be repurposed. It serves as an example of sustainable preservation and reuse of small-scale cultural heritage along these UNESCO-protected dikes. Architecture @common_practice Commission @culture__matters @waterschaphhnk Construction @louiszwarthoed Photography @cvansas Support @stimuleringsfonds @cultuurfonds @restauratiefonds #noordholland #scharwoude #heritage #culturalheritage #transformation #reuse #repurpose #sustainablebuilding #slowarchitecture #craftsmanship #ecoconscious #circular #reclaimedmaterial #biobased #naturalmaterials @linolie.dk @the_new_raw @dijk_nl