AMSTERDAM

At the end of the nineteen seventies the municipal authorities of Amsterdam decided to stop the exodus of residents from the City. For that reason locations were sought where houses could be built to help retain the existing population and attract new residents as well. The Eastern Docklands were designated for house construction.
The Eastern Docklands consists of artificial peninsulas that were constructed between 1874 and 1927. In the seventies the port activities which took place here were relocated to the western dock area of the city. At the same time the Amsterdam City Council decided to develop this area. Between 1987 and 2003 some 8000 dwellings, shops and offices have been realised here.
In 1989 Jo Coenen draw up the urban design master plan for the KNSM-eiland (-island). Two superblocks on this peninsula of 170 metres long, 60 metres wide and eight storeys high contain mainly social rented houses. Architects Bruno Albert and Hans Kollhoff/Christian Rapp designed these blocks.
On this peninsula some old buildings, such as the former departure hall of the shipping company, are retained and converted into commercial units. The history of the area as a port is evident and critical to its identity.
For Java-eiland Sjoerd Soeters (Soeters Van Eldonk Ponec architecten) drew up the design. Sheltered inner courts, transverse waterways and buildings of 27 metres in a repetitive unit principle make this island different from the KNSM-eiland.
Borneo and Sporenburg have been built to a design of Adriaan Geuze (West 8) between 1996 and 2002. In contrast to the KNSM- and Java-eiland, here mainly low-rise dwellings have been realised. These dwellings have been built back to back and are three storeys high. They have an outside space in the form of a roof terrace or patio.
To get a density of 100 dwellings per hectare, it was necessary to build three large superblocks. As meteorites these blocks lay between the dwellings. Two of these blocks have been realised. The Whale of Frits van Dongen (the ArchitectenCie) and Pacman of Koen van Velsen.

The Southern banks are also undergoing change. Old warehouses are being renovated. Some of these building are being retrofitted with new functions like shops, offices and restaurants. New buildings such as the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, a music centre (Het Muziekgebouw) and a residential work are realised.

The Music Building from the Danish architects 3xN, has two special music halls. One for modern music and one for jazz. The opening of the building was in june 2005. An excursion through the building, with a visit to the big hall, is possible. Duration: around an hour.

On the other side of the train rails a new apartment block The Funen is build at a former industrial site. A glaze façade protects against the noise of the trains passing by. De first 300 dwellings of this special project have been completed.

On the Oosterdokseiland, near the Central Station, the Amsterdam Public Library, architect Jo Coenen, is open for public since July 2007. It is the biggest library of the Netherlands. The programme consists of 30.000 m² library, a theatre, a café and offices. The conservatoire is officially open since September 2008. The idea behind the building is the Engawa principle, a Japanese way of ordening the spaces. The architect of the conservatorium is Frits van Dongen of the ArchitectenCie. On the Oosterdokseiland also a hotel, offices, and appartments will be realized.

IJburg, the latest extension of Amsterdam, is made up of seven new islands on which 18,000 houses for 45,000 people are built. In 2002 the first houses have been completed. In 2025 the last house must be ready. Each island is being developed in ways to establish a different and unique character. Haveneiland will become an urban area. On Steigereiland people can build their own house on land lots. There are some rules regarding the height and the size of the houses. The most important amenities, such as the largest shopping centre of IJburg, will be on Centrumeiland. At the moment 10.000 people live on IJburg.

The Zuidas is situated on the southern part of the town. On both sides of the south circular road A10 a new area is created. Offices, dwellings, shops, a theatre en a medical centre will be part of it. The Vigñoly Building is one of the buildings recently completed.

In the district Westerpark lies the former area of the Municipality Waterpiping: the GWL area. In 1989, it was decided that this area should be developed as a car free, environment-friendly residential area with significant density. On the approximately 6 hectares, 601 houses have been built. A number of old buildings such as the Watertower and the Machine pump building have been maintained. In the pump building nowadays a cafe-restaurant is located.

Opposite the GWL-site the Culture park Westergas-factory is situated. In the old factory gas out of coal was produces from 1885-1959. When the factory was closed the municipality decided around 1992 to give the site a new function. In the twenty-six buildings, industrial monuments now, you find a mix of commercial and creative spaces, restaurants, bars and a cinema. The big gasholder is used for parties and big events. Kathryn Gustafson made the design for the environment and the park.

Other tours in or around Amsterdam are possible.