House on a Bunker by Architect R. Romke de Vries: From Military Accommodation to Residential Refinement

The construction of houses on bunkers is not uncommon in post-war Holland, yet this project in The Hague, conceived by architect R. Romke de Vries between 1951 and 1955, sticks out as a pioneering design. A large concrete bunker was reused as an artificial rock foundation for the construction of a new house that was commissioned by contractor Jan van Kampen. In close collaboration with his client, Romke de Vries managed to create a remarkable synergy between both old and new constructions, interior design and garden layout, bringing together many of his previously published innovative design strategies for the post-war home interior. All fittings and furnishings were profoundly detailed and painted in a remarkable colour scheme. This essay is dealing with innovative residential issues by architect Romke de Vries with special attention to technical approaches, the colour scheme and the interaction between architect and client/contractor. This study also addresses objectives of basic comfort standards, improvement of the energetic performances, efficient approach of the damage phenomena and issues of building physics.