ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

HOUSING BLOCK EENDRACHTSPARK

MVRDV, 1998-2007, Dr. H. Colijnstraat 250-708, Amsterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
MVRDV

PROJECT ARCHITECT:
Winy Maas
Jacob van Rijs
Nathalie de Vries

ARTIST:
Richard Hutten

BUILDING TYPE:
Housing

This is a pilot project in the campaign to restructure the northern part of Amsterdam's post-war 'western garden suburbs'. Standing on the edge of Eendrachtspark at a place where three blocks once met that park at right angles, it is a vast urban block with large holes punched in it. Or, alternatively, five towers on a shared deck, their upper storeys connected by huge inhabited bridges. The holes in the block retain views of the park for the neighbourhood beyond and draw daylight into the deep block. External facades are clad in taut rows of black panels with jutting balconies. The internal facades by contrast are in white brickwork in a subtle cruciform pattern that alternates smooth and misfired glazed brick. Three collective outdoor spaces have been fitted out as oversized living rooms by the designer Richard Hutten.