ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

HOUSING LA GRANDE COUR; VOC COUR; WESTERKAAP

DIVERSE ARCHITECTEN, 2000-2009, Westerdoksdijk, Amsterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
John Bosch
Meyer & Van Schooten
Heren 5 Architecten
Baneke & Van der Hoeven
DKV Architecten
Art Zaaijer
Jeroen Schipper
AWG/bOb van Reeth
MVRDV

URBAN DESIGN:
de Architekten Cie.

Occupying a former marshalling yard west of Central Station, this new residential area has an exceptionally high density. The elongated site divides into four sub-areas fleshed out by different combinations of architects: La Grande Cour by de Architekten Cie., Heren 5 Architecten and Meyer & Van Schooten; VOC Cour by MVRDV, Jeroen Schipper, Art Zaaijer and John Bosch; and Block 2 and the fourth, wedge-shaped block by DKV Architecten, Baneke Van der Hoeven and AWG. Rows of housing oriented east-west and a tall 'urban wall' along the busy main road organize the oblong site. All external facades are in brick; other materials are added for the sides facing the courtyards. In La Grande Cour a density of 300 dwellings per hectare is achieved through a trio of periscope-like towers. Work on the IJ-Dock, a combination of housing, office space, a hotel and a Palace of Justice to a masterplan by Van Gameren and Mastenbroek, is now under construction on the other side of Westerdoksdijk.