A city district with both strong densification and greenery is being built between the growing, busy city and the spacious and peaceful lake Sloterplas. LEVS has designed an optimistic residential building along the central axis of the avenue Schipluidenlaan with clear horizontal articulation, light materialization of ceramic elements and large windows that provide all the homes with plenty of daylight. Podium is located right next to the auditorium of an adjacent former school building. With a smart recess around the auditorium, we create a passage between two green areas on the north side. Spacious entrance halls lead to an inner garden with open ground and a bicycle shed that is half-sunken around it. The plan is aimed at starters in the mid-priced rental sector, who will make extensive use of bicycles and public transport.
A classic by Ingwersen
One of the challenges was fitting in the prominent auditorium that protrudes from the adjacent building. The old Calvijn College in Amsterdam Nieuw West was designed by Ben Ingwersen in the late 1960s. Before the crisis of 2008, the intention was to demolish it and build the plot along the Schipluidenlaan from various building blocks. But over time, the building has come to life as a creative breeding ground, including the De Appel art centre, and is now valued as a beautiful example of New Objectivity architecture. A revaluation of our architectural history and its rational, optimistic attitude. With a setback on the corner, we have created space for an interesting entrance next to the auditorium and a pleasant passage to the future park between the buildings.
Living pleasantly all around
Podium is an open building that builds on the Amsterdam expansion project AUP ideal of light, air and space. Connections with the outside world are sought on all sides. In through-houses on the north and east sides, living can be done on two sides, with daylight from front to back. On the west side, we provide a connection between the living room and the terrace with loggias. Living rooms on the ground floor are slightly raised above the street, subtly making the transition from private to public clear. This transition zone to the street is marked by sturdy planters that emerge from the facade. A small local supermarket has also been included in the plan on the street, allowing for plenty of life along the facade.
A warm welcome
On the corner towards the auditorium, space has been created for a facade artwork at the initiative of LEVS. It was filled in by a collaboration between the Teenage Curators of the art centre de Appel, artist Narges Mohammadi, and spoken word artist Zeinab El Bouni. It depicts the memories of young people from their high school days and their experiences of growing up in Nieuw-West. It is an ode to the neighbourhood, full of stories and emotions that will touch everyone in the district.
On all other corners there are also beautiful entrances to the bicycle storage, which runs half-sunken around the inner garden. The daylight makes it a clear, light space that feels safe and is easy to use. A rich landscape design is possible between the circular bicycle shed, because trees and plants can simply be placed in the open ground.
Sustainability
Podium is connected to district heating, has a large water buffer under the inner garden and natural ventilation in the semi-sunken bicycle storage. The inner garden is completely laid out in the open ground, which offers space for mature plants that grow up along the facades. These interventions make the building energy-efficient and nature-inclusive.
