Almere

We’re thrilled to present the finalised Highnote, a new residential tower for starters in Almere and the latest addition to the city skyline. For the design, we came up with a unique feature: a triangular plinth that consists entirely of 'urban rooms'. They are intimate, urban indoor and outdoor spaces, flowing into each other and enticing you to wander through them. Each urban room sparks its own sense of wonder, yet always leaves its use to your imagination. Sebastian van Damme Along the edges of the entire plot, one continuous colonnade contours the urban room sequence. Its appearance is strong yet abstract, inviting your own interpretation of the spaces it surrounds. Together, the urban rooms create the gradual transition fr... More

Between Amsterdam and Almere It seems an odd question: is it possible to drastically improve the infrastructure of the northern part of the Randstad, between Diemen and Almere, and at the same time preserve the Dutch landscape and improve ecological values? The question becomes even more odd when one realizes that this entails a stretch of motorway of 23 kilometers, where extra lanes are added to the A1 and A6 and some 50 structures including bridges, ecoducts, bicycle tunnels, fly overs and even an aquaduct leading under a river are part of the plan. And yet, one can conclude that the answer to this odd question can be a resounding yes. This complex infrastructural landscape is part of a larger project to improve the connection between S... More

Sports in a new city Almere Poort is fast growing section of the city, close to the Hollandse Brug and the banks of the IJ lake. The volleyball and basketball clubs of Almere both play in the top leagues and to meet international standards a new state of the art sports facility was called for. When passing along the motorway A6 one can see the powerful silhouette of the sports centre designed by architects ZJA. Its curved facade is adapted to meet the requirements that sports venues and stands demand. The building houses a modern indoor sports arena where 3.000 people can watch basketball and volleyball games, as well as handball and indoor football matches. It is complemented by skyboxes, offices and a cafeteria. Next to the arena is a... More

A new residential estate on the shore of the Noorderplassen is the location of a villa which Arc2 designed for a trumpetter. The font of the house looks out over a marina and the rear faces onto a Zen garden. The living spaces at the front and rear are linked by a wide multifunctional staircase. The window openings in the side walls are arranged in a musical rhythm. Arc2's decision to use a steel frame structure clad in timber weatherboarding and other natural materials was based on the Cradle-To-Cradle principle. More

Villa Al is a green villa in a green environment. This proposal emphasises the existing qualities and character of the location. A meandering river through a green environment is translated into a meandering route through a green pavilion. In a natural context also the electricity and heating are found in natural resources. A heatpump installation allows for heating from the soil. Electricity is captured by solar panels and from the water motion in the river. The pavilion/villa is constructed from natural materials found in the surroundings. These materials emphasize the character of living in a green environment. Wood; The pavilion has a wooden construction. Also the floor and some interior ceilings are clad with wood. Straw;... More

The Jacobs/APPM/Posad consortium launched their solution for an alternative public transport connection, bridging the two communities of Amsterdam and Almere. The Consortium proposes a rapid regional metro line – the Nieuwe Lijn – between Amsterdam Isolatorweg / Sloterdijk and Almere Oost, fully integrated into the existing metro Ringlijn. The capital cost of the construction of the Nieuwe Lijn, are 2,6 billion according to Dutch standards. We estimate the capital cost at under €2 billion, is less than half that estimated in the original reference case. The line is also expected to generate considerable extra demand and takes the pressure and future investment of the existing Hollandse Brug. The deficit in the business case has been reduced... More