The Sloterdijk district of Amsterdam is rapidly transforming from an office area into a vibrant urban neighbourhood. MO*town Track 8, one of the pioneers in this emerging district, is a robust, green and sustainable project consisting of 94 apartments and ground-floor facilities. De Zwarte Hond designed the plan on behalf of BPD I Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling.

Haven-Stad, which includes Sloterdijk, will be transformed into a sustainable and future-oriented district. Haven-Stad will have a high residential density and a diverse mix of functions, such as facilities, green areas and workplaces. By adding more homes, commercial space and community facilities to the former business district, it will become a vibrant place where people can live, meet and feel at home.

A design that fits the neighbourhood

In Sloterdijk, the aim is to create a streetscape that contributes as much as possible to the feeling of a vibrant, mixed-use city neighbourhood. The visual quality is based on having as many differences and contrasts as possible between the buildings: high next to low, light next to dark, rough next to smooth, open next to closed. MO*town Track 8 is surrounded by towers of different colours and heights. The carefully stepped, dark and glossy façade gives the building a monumentality that is needed in this important area of the city. The building consists of three tapered, higher volumes, connected by galleries and walkways. This creates a sense of openness and allows for moments of contact from the top floor to the street.

Interaction: No loneliness!

Social interaction to combat loneliness was a central theme in the design process, based on the principle that ‘people attract people’. The aim was for residents to see and meet each other on a regular basis. The shape of the building, the steel walkways and the communal gardens encourage interaction and create attractive living spaces.

Future residents were also able to participate in the design process and influence the size and layout of their homes. The relatively open façade offers the residents many different layout options. The stepped form means that no two floors are the same and there is a natural mix of different apartment sizes and target groups. 

By actively involving residents from the outset, a sense of community was created even before the first residents moved in, reinforcing the idea of ​​‘living together’ and neighbourhood development.

Focus on sustainability, biodiversity and rainwater harvesting

MO*town Track 8 embodies Haven-Stad’s progressive sustainability ambitions. The project uses reused and recycled materials. Greenery is integrated into the design on all floors, and the communal gardens and the green containers on the façades were planted a year in advance of arrival at the site. In the basement there is a 260 m3 cistern to collect rainwater for irrigation. Sustainable energy is generated by solar cells in the glass balustrades. In addition, the Sloterdijk train station is within walking distance, and there is a parking garage exclusively for bicycles and 20 shared cars under the building. This concept encourages car sharing and reduces the use of private cars.

With its focus on architecture, sustainability and community building, MO*town Track 8 contributes significantly to the transformation of Sloterdijk into a vibrant residential area.