The World of Food, who in Amsterdam does not know it, was realized around 2015 in the old Bijlmer parking garage Develstein. It is now known that this beloved food court, a social anchor point in the neighbourhood D-Buurt and in Zuidoost, will be demolished. At the same location, LEVS is designing World of Food 2.0, a 'city within the city' with a multitude of functions in the plinth, a reborn WOF and more than 300 social and medium-priced rental homes.
Height accents without rear side
Together with the adjacent project Nieuw Develstein with approximately 260 homes, also a LEVS design (under construction), WOF 2.0 forms a new residential area at the main road Gooiseweg. With an 18-storey tower at the intersection with the Daalwijkdreef, the WOF 2.0 marks its prominent place. The different volumes go from high at the main roads to low at the residential street. This creates a noise-free inner area, where the sun enters as much as possible. Moreover, the building moves in a logical way with the sloping terrain and exciting height differences arise in the public plinth.
Features brought together
The sloping terrain and the elevated road gave rise to a differentiated plinth height of 3, 6 and 9 metres. The transparent plinth comprises 3,900 m² of commercial and social functions and 6,500 m² of parking and bicycle sheds on two, partly three storeys.
A deep 'roof garden' canopy separates the plinth from the apartments above. The more than 300 social and medium-priced rental homes consist of 2- and 3-room apartments, a number of 4-room houses, town houses and spacious homes for the disabled. All houses have a balcony or a garden and are accessible from the street and the green inner area.
Green cascade
Walking routes run through the green inner area that connect the various residential towers and entrances. All homes have access to this park above the parking garage. The towers are connected by several large canopies with green roof gardens. Together with the inner area, they form a green cascade that makes the building rainproof and nature-inclusive.
Façade in Bijlmer context
The ensemble is surrounded by a dichotomy of plinth and volumes. They respond in terms of dimension to the various functions in the building. In the façade of the houses, a light grid provides peace and cohesion, while at the same time articulating. The architecture thus responds to the multifaceted context. Within the grid, the interpretation varies due to the different housing types, the position of the balconies and three brickwork colours. This creates a layered façade with a lively image. The characteristic glass planks of the existing World of Food building have been reused in the plinth. The deep canopies above the pedestrian passage mark the public functions and reduce wind nuisance.
