The Western Garden Cities of Amsterdam were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Big increases in density constantly threaten their open green spaces, the most important quality of the area. This had to be kept in mind when a block of 100 apartments for people over 55 years old was proposed marking the end of a facility strip for the elderly.

An adequate degree of sunlight was achieved by penetrating the rooms but only 87 of the 100 units could be accommodated within the block. The remaining 13 dwellings became a problem because if they were placed anywhere else on site, the open space would be reduced further. By ‘cantilevering’ the remaining 13 units from the north façade, they are literally suspended in the air. The hanging East-West orientated types complete the North-South dwellings in the block with a view over the adjacent polder. By hanging the extra units on the north façade, the ground plane is kept as open and green as possible. An original way of increasing the density in the garden cities was achieved, setting the example.

Data

Designer:
MVRDV
Rotterdam, Netherlands
www.mvrdv.nl
Client:
Het Oosten Housing Association
Location:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Description:
Residential building

Status:
completed
Area:
7.500 sq m
Date:
1997
Awards:
J.A. van Eckprijs awarded by the BNA (Dutch Architects Association (2000);
Merkelbach Award (1997); Finalist Mies van der Rohe Award for European Architecture
(1990)

Building physics:
DGMR, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Structure:
Pieters Bouwtechniek, Haarlem, The Netherlands
Building advisors:
Bureau Bouwkunde, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Contractor:
Intervam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Credits & Copyrights

Design / Drawings:
MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

Photoes:
Rory Hyde
www.roryhyde.com

Source:
MVRDV
www.mvrdv.nl

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