![North Orleans Housing / SeARCH - Brick, Facade, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/793a/f197/cc1f/9600/001d/newsletter/IMG_8883_KH.jpg?1526954284)
![North Orleans Housing / SeARCH - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/7757/f197/cc14/a200/0020/medium_jpg/01_Hamerstraat.jpg?1526953798)
Text description provided by the architects. SeARCH has designed a new residential building of 120 studio apartments for students or young professionals, located right beside our own offices on the Spijkerkade in Amsterdam North.
![North Orleans Housing / SeARCH - Facade, Handrail, Beam, Column, Balcony](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/77c0/f197/cc14/a200/0021/newsletter/02_Hamerstraat.jpg?1526953857)
The district, originally an industrial area, is undergoing very rapid transformations. In the urban redevelopment process, creative industries are finding their place in the former factories and warehouses, creating a new dynamism in the North. With the development of new transport links from the City Centre district to North district, such as a new metro line and a pedestrian bridge, the area is in need of new housing. Therefore this was the ideal location for this residential complex.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/772b/f197/cc1f/9600/0016/newsletter/03_floor_plan_.jpg?1526953753)
The individual studios are fully furnished, prefabricated concrete modules, which are stacked on the building site in six layers of 20 units.
![North Orleans Housing / SeARCH - Chair, Garden, Handrail, Patio, Courtyard](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/7855/f197/cc1f/9600/001b/medium_jpg/04_Hamerstraat_IMG_8885_KH.jpg?1526954054)
On the ground floor the modules have extra height to be used as the entrance of the housing building, the concierge office, postal boxes, bicycle storage, Laundromat and a communal lounge. The complex is built in a U shape around a central garden and terrace with barbecue, open to all residents.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/77d7/f197/cc14/a200/0022/newsletter/06_Section_2.jpg?1526953925)
The façade is made of COR-TEN steel elements added to the prefab modules to create circulations and private balconies with a view towards the IJ River. It reveals its unique color after rainy days and enhances the industrial character of the building.
![North Orleans Housing / SeARCH - Facade, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5b03/790b/f197/cc14/a200/0028/medium_jpg/B0000192_BM.jpg?1526954227)