Borneo-Sporenburg Amsterdam

Borneo-Sporenburg Amsterdam

West 8 as Landscape Architects

The brief for Borneo and Sporenburg, two peninsulas in the eastern part of the Amsterdam docks, tied together two seemingly opposing ideas. On the one hand the potential of the large scale dockland area was to be exploited for water-related activities, on the other hand the brief called for 2500 low-rise dwelling units, with a density of 100 units per hectare. Taking these points of departure presented a fascinating and unique opportunity for an urban experiment.


West 8 sought the solution in developing a new typology of three-storey, ground-accessed houses deviating from the usual terraced house in being strongly oriented to the private realm, in this case by incorporating patios and roofgardens. This approach is a variant upon the traditional type of Dutch canal house. A great deal of what would normally be designed as public space is included in the plots, thus creating space within the walls of the buildings.


By repeating this typology in a great variety of dwelling modes (from social housing to exclusive apartments) and with maximum architectural variation, an animated street elevation emerges with a focus on the individual plot and property owner. At the scale of the area as a whole, a delicately balanced relationship exists between the repetition of the individual dwellings, the roofscape and the great scale of the docks.


Three immense sculptural blocks take their place in the vast expanse of houses in a configuration derived from nodes of interest in the surrounding landscape. They offer occupants a spectacular view, and conversely, are landmarks visible from a distance. The elastic quality of the building generates a wide variety of dwelling types. The interaction of high-rise and low-rise provides an urban fabric, orientation, and structure. The scent of the water, the sunsets and reflections over the canals are pulled into the living environment.

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert
18 Mar 2024 News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert

Mumbai-based Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the Nokha Village Community Centre, an architectur... More

Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
15 Mar 2024 News
Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers
15 Mar 2024 Specification
25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers

Mosaic wall tiles are produced in an enormous range of colors, shapes and finishes, and from a varie... More

Introducing Partner Motion Facades
15 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Motion Facades

Motion Facades specializes in supplying advanced facade systems for luxury real estate projects. Its... More

Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel
15 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel

Architects Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores have been an... More

JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements
14 Mar 2024 News
JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements

International architectural firm JSWD has completed the Neuer Kanzlerplatz office complex in the cit... More

Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'
14 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'

Today Archello introduces a new set of Firm Awards categories to widen the scope of the Archello Awa... More

Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes
13 Mar 2024 News
Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes

London-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice Studio Egret West has developed plan... More