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Architects: HVDN + Studioninedots
- Area: 540 m²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs: Thomas Schlijper
Text description provided by the architects. At a unique location in Amsterdam, between the old town and the IJ-lake and next to Central Station, The Oosterdokseiland (ODE) is situated. Here, more than 200,000 square feet of modern architecture with a special mix of functions will be realised: housing, offices, a hotel, a library, a conservatorium, shops, bars and restaurants. For this dynamic place HVDN/Studioninedots designed a residential building with restaurants and a department store in the plinth. The building was recently completed and is characterised by a ‘chasm’, the specific shape of the apartments and the luxurious finish.
EEA architect’s master plan for the Oosterdokseiland consists of high density buildings interwoven with narrow passageways that link enclosed open spaces. Each block is to be designed as a collaboration between several architects. The master plan specifies that the scheme’s functions must be physically separated from each other – one block, one function. In our proposal, two volumes, the corner and the ‘palazzo’, are separated from each other by a passage. However, considering its width and the overall height of the building, ‘chasm’ is a more accurate description and this word becomes the ‘leitmotif’ of the design.
The luxury apartments are defined by their expansive views towards Amsterdam’s city centre. Large floor to ceiling windows throughout the apartments are orientated towards the city and their living spaces can justifiably be described as ‘rooms with a view’. Different solutions of window types are chosen as the architectural tool. In conjunction with the deep balconies, this ensures a lively ever changing façade articulated by the play of light and shadow.
