Carpe Diem Apartments, Architecture. It had to be a striking tower, which is a beacon in its area but also offers shelter to the Karel Appelhof square. Carpe Diem is therefore inspired by the towers in the beautiful medieval Italian San Gimignano. Towers that have grown over time to trump the neighboring buildings in prestige and beauty. That is how our quest towards, an architectural composition in which the different scale levels of the neighborhood and the place merge, started. With attention to detail and the human scale.
© Egbert de Boer
Sophisticated living. The appearance and materials support the generous, chic character that we wanted to emphasize in the building and its surrounding. You enter a marble and brass-clad entrance hall. By chamfering the facade of the building on the upper floors, the high tower elegantly blends into the surrounding buildings. In addition, the apartments in the upper part will have a spacious south-facing balcony and enjoy a panoramic view of Holland Park. The penthouse with high ceilings and high glass fronts on all sides give the building a cornice.
© Egbert de Boer
Materials. We were looking for materials that age well and are pleasant to the touch. The light bricks contrast with the surrounding buildings and give the building a fresh, almost Mediterranean character. The stones are rock-hard, so they stay clean and beautiful over time. Matching colored aluminum frames fitted with clear sun-resistant glass, provide every home with lots of daylight. In addition, a suitably chic entrance. A beautiful facade with integrated seating elements, together with an awning, brass-plated front doors, creating a pleasant atmosphere at eye level.
© Egbert de Boer
Sustainability. In addition to the influence of the test of time on the facade materials, we have thought about energy management and your comfort. Carpe Diem meets the very latest energy requirements. It utilizes all the possibilities of heat recovery, underfloor heating, and PV cells. After all, a cozy house is represented by a warm home. We think it is important that you can enjoy luxurious living without any worries about high energy costs.
Project Info
Architects: mojo/architecten
Country: The Netherlands, Diemen
Area: 5500 m²
Year: 2019
Photographs: Egbert de Boer
Manufacturers TECU®, Kawneer, Kooy Hagemeister, Otis, Solid Nature: TECU®
Architect: Joep Mollink
Installation Advisors: M-trix
Constructor: Van Rossum
Client: Snippe Projecten
Renderings: Archivision
Manufacturers: TECU®, Kawneer, Kooy Hagemeister, Otis, Solid Nature
Contractor: UBA projectontwikkeling B.V.
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.