Gershwin Plot 14

92 Gershwin (Plot 14)

NL Architects as Architects

Gershwin (Plot 14) is the winning entry for a competition with only two competitors for a large residential building in Amsterdam: an ambitious and optimistic blend of perimeter Block and Tower. An attempt to blend in and stand out.


G&S Vastgoed selected NL Architects in 2012 to develop the 22 story building on the Gustav Mahlerlaan. G&S as developer was already involved in many of the signature buildings in this area called Zuidas; the ‘Ito’, the ‘Vinoly’, the ‘UN Studio’, the ‘Rock’ by Egeraat and many others.


The Zuidas is a Central Business District: the Canary Wharf or La Defense of Amsterdam. It aspires to become a vibrant urban center; a CBD combined with residential program.


Virtually all mayor Dutch companies gravitate towards the area, but it also absorbs many European HQs of multinationals, law firms and an infinite amount of ‘shell companies’.


It is a splendid location: seven minutes from the historic center, and seven minutes from the Airport!


Ground prices are the highest in the Netherlands.


The proximity to the airport has a surprising consequence: the Zuidas is placed more or less in the flight path. As such building height is limited and visibly decreasing from its highest point, Pei Cobb’s ABN Amro bank in the east towards the much lower ING HQ in the west.


From north to south the volume falls to establish a relationship with the surroundings. The urban layout of the Zuidas is a clever combination of tall structures in a checker board pattern placed on a plinth. The idea is to increase density while at the same time creating a European feel: perimeter blocks defining the experience of the ground level.


G&S intends to combine rental apartments and luxury flats -in principle independent entities- into one building but with very distinct qualities between the categories –floor height, size of windows, size of the outdoor space, type of access. And with separate entrances. How to articulate this difference and still synthesize a coherent complex?


Syntrus Achmea, on behalf of two pension funds, is investing in the largest share of the apartments: 80 units of about 90 m² with moderate lease prices. All units require 12.5 m² balconies facing Southwest. The apartments are positioned on a plinth of commercial facilities.


20 luxury penthouses are placed on top of this rental perimeter block. They feature flexible layouts, some are small others extra large; all are equipped with exceptionally large outdoor spaces.


The slender tower placed on the Northeastern corner rises to a height of 77 meters to define the maximum envelop, stretching out to ‘touch’ the flight path.


The two types are merged into one figure. A gentle parabolic outline comes into being creating a stepped silhouette that offers splendid terraces.


This ‘morph’ also accommodates the third typology: 30 more units, either for rent or for sale.


There are 3 types of access: gallery, corridor and directly from the elevator lobby.


The horizontal bands of the facade ‘reflect’ the striped character of the surroundings but other than the hermetic corporate personality of the office buildings Plot 14 radiates a lively residential atmosphere. Both the facade and the outline of the balcony are meandering, creating a pulsating outdoor space and a well defined but ‘fuzzy’ outline.


After a year of super enthusiastic collaboration the project was aborted...

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More