On the northern tip of the rapidly developing Zeeburger Island in Amsterdam Studioninedots, commissioned by de Alliantie and Lingotto, designed two striking volumes. Due to their stepped profiles and changing facade rhythms they appear different depending on the viewing angle. All 142 residences plus the shared outdoor spaces on the deck are orientated towards the magnificent views.
Studioninedots recognises agrowing need for better collective and public spaces for cities,which are densifying at an increasing rate.On the site where the rapidly developing Zeeburger Islandmeets the calm of the water and the low, clouded skies, the practice conceived a spatial intervention that functions as a catalyst for meeting and connection between residents. Instead of a massive block, the design houses the required functions in two slender, high buildings resting atop a shared, semi-underground car park. This creates a roof deck between the buildings for shared use, and the building’s open profile frames wide views of the Buiten-IJ for the neighbourhood to enjoy.
Both complexes become narrower towards the top. The volumes step up and recedeevery few storeys in response to surrounding buildings. This reduces the amount of apartments per floor, which creates setbacks that are used for private outdoor spaces and green roofs. Fronting all sides, the buildings feature two alternating facade rhythms – with either compact or wider windows – whichstep accordingly.
The buildings have a compact structure organisedaround a core that contains all the apartments’ functional spaces. The living rooms and bedroomsare then positioned on the perimeter to maximise views.This quality of space is accessible for every resident regardless of whether the apartment is allocated forprivate or social housing. The lower building (‘De Generaal’) contains affordable rental apartments; residents in the higher tower (‘Akropolis’) are aged 55+ and members of a residential community. Throughout the buildings, shared facilities are provided for both the association and neighbourhood.
19-Oct-2015 Alderman Laurens Ivens today launched construction of Blocks 1a& 1bat the northern tip of Zeeburger Island in Amsterdam. Studioninedots has designed a complex of two towers containing 144 dwellings for de Allian tie housing association and property developer Lingot to, on a site next to the bridge to Schelling woude. This location calls for a strong gesture, and the towers are therefore designed in such a way that all residents enjoy a fantastic view of the city, the IJ andouter IJ waterways.
From 2017, the taller of the two towers in particular will mark the entrance to the island, especially when approached from Amsterdam North. Standing on a deck, the towers taper as they rise, their silhouettes changing depending on the angle of view. That’s because the volumes are staggerede very few levels, the number of dwellings per level decreases as the building rises, and the setbacks create private terraces and green roofs. The two rhythms in the facades, all of which are equally prominent, accentuate the staggered composition.
All functional spaces inside the dwellings border the core, around which the compact buildings are organized. Accordingly, all living rooms and bedrooms are optimally orientated to the surroundings. Every resident, whether in the subsidized rental or mid-price rental category, enjoy this quality of housing.
The apartments in the smaller tower (1b, The General) are mid-price rental category. Most of the future residents in the taller tower (1a, Akropolis Tower) are aged 55 or older and members of theAkropolis Society. The building contains community facilities for the Society and for the surrounding neighbourhood.Residents of both towers share the outdoor space on the slightly raised deck, which also enjoys a panoramic view of the outer IJ waterway.
