In 2017, we transformed these two historic buildings in Otrobanda Curacao, into a functional and modern space. The project focused on preserving its rich heritage while adapting it for contemporary use.

This project consists of two buildings on Smithplein (Smithplein 12 and Smithplein 14). Both are part of the monumental townscape of Willemstad. The buildings are protected under Curacao’s heritage laws and owned by Stichting Monumentenzorg Curaçao. The plan was to use both buildings for offices, but when we moved in with our office in 2022, we converted one of them into an apartment where our colleagues of the Amsterdam office can stay during a business-trip.

About this area

Otrobanda, one of Willemstad’s four historic districts, is a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Inner City and Harbour of Willemstad. Alongside Punda, Pietermaai, and Scharloo, there are 743 listed monuments. Ranging from grand mansions and townhouses to modest workers’ homes—like the two restored buildings housing lyongo architecture’s office.

Established in the 18th century as an extension of Punda, Otrobanda quickly became a vibrant neighborhood with narrow alleyways, a dynamic culture, and diverse architecture. Translated as ’the other side’, it served as a counterpoint to Punda. The more planned development of Punda is the opposite of the developments of Otrobanda, which is developed organically offering a more locally driven urban development pattern. The district’s iconic colored buildings reflect a unique mandate from 1817, when Governor Kikkert decreed that houses on Curacao should be painted in soft colors instead of white. This was based on advice from a local doctor, who believed white facades contributed to eye problems on the island.

Nowadays Otrobanda is becoming more and more popular. An area that is characterized by beautiful murals and local shops and neighborhood cafes. Much is invested in making the neighborhood lively and safe. But many buildings are also being renovated to further improve the neighborhood. Dilapidated buildings are given a new life, in order to preserve the heritage and characteristic sights. A difficult challenge, because often much of the character of a place is lost during neighborhood renewal. We previously shared a manifest on how to tackle this problem.

Designing the heritage

While this project was being completed in 2017, it actually started way earlier. Back in 1999 we first drafted a restoration plan for a private client for these rundown buildings. Though the project was initially shelved, we were asked by Monumentenzorg Curaçao to revise and execute the design years later.

Restoring these buildings highlights their historical value while adapting them for modern needs. For example, both houses now have AC – making it comfortable to stay inside. The two buildings historically shared a design and open lay-out. However, there weren’t any floors left and a lot of walls were broken down when we worked on the project. So we made a new lay out based on the existing floor plan. We did add extra room for sanitary facilities. What we’ve also added is the pergola in between the colorful buildings.

Since buildings within the protected cityscape don’t have requirements regarding the use of color for the facade, we could pick a suiting color. From an aesthetic point of view, we chose these two contrasting colors.

Each element that we could keep, we used in the new design. But since the buildings were dilapidated, a lot had to be done to the construction… We wanted to prioritize the retention of the original details and historical elements. Both of the houses still featured the traditional elements, like the gable roofs. We brought back the shutters, but added glass windows in between – to meet the modern wishes. The doors were also specially chosen to give the building a historical look.

Every decision during the process was guided by a deep respect for the building’s heritage. This wasn’t our first heritage project within the UNESCO World Heritage list, we’ve already worked on Hotel ’t Klooster and Helenastraat at the time – where we also preserved as much of the original buildings as possible.

Outside and inside

The pergola or courtyard between the two buildings remains an active project. Over the years we’ve added some plants, further enhancing the space’s charm. These plants will also help to provide some shade and bring down the temperature near the buildings. Making this a nice place to stay and work. We water the plants with the used water from the AC. In the next coming years we will keep on adding greenery.

The apartment’s interior design, executed by Sas Styling Stuf, was also done later on. The design complements the historic framework of the structure with contemporary touches, balancing modern comfort and historical character. We’re very happy with the result and our collaboration ‘when exterior meets interior’.

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