01 · Challenge
Asymmetric roof with a too-low rear side
The owner of a detached house in Zeist-Noord wanted to convert the attic into a study, but the rear had barely 1.5 metres of head height. The roof had an asymmetric pitched profile: the ridge was positioned two-thirds towards the front, giving the rear roof slope a slanted ceiling line extending far into the space. The zoning plan of the municipality of Zeist permitted ridge relocation as long as the building volume remained the same. The challenge was to draw the design so that the existing eaves line and roofline at the front remained unchanged.
02 · Our approach
New ridge position, matching gutter line and roof line
We relocated the ridge to a position directly above the rear facade. The front of the roof remained identical: the same pitch, the same eaves line. At the rear, a new short roof plane emerged with a steeper pitch. The new roof structure was fully recalculated: new rafters and ridge beam in the desired position, with detailing of the rear gutter connection. The municipality of Zeist granted the building permit after a standard procedure of 6 weeks.
03 · Result
14 m² fully functional workspace, permit in 6 weeks
The building permit was granted within 6 weeks. The carpenter carried out the new roof structure based on the construction-ready drawings and the structural file. The attic gained 14 m² with a full standing height of 2.4 metres: enough for a spacious study with two workstations and sufficient floor space. Nothing has changed at the front. The owner was able to furnish the attic as a home office shortly after completion.