On Oostenburg Amsterdam

The island of Oostenburg has a rich maritime history. The architecture in the neighbourhood is based on its industrial past. Each block of flats has its own identity, as if it were built in its own period. Around the buildings, the alleys and lively plinths serve as a connection between public space and private domain. This is where encounters between the various users take place. The public space not only has a high quality of stay, but also provides space for rainwater collection and buffering, heat stress and urban ecology.

Project details

Location
Amsterdam
Year
2018-2024
Size
1,3 ha
Commissioned by
VORM ontwikkeling
In collaboration with
OZ architects, Workshop architects, Beta
Honorarium
Eerste Prijs tender 2018

On the inside of the blocks lies a lush and leafy courtyard garden. This is the green lung of the residential area, which mainly belongs to the residents and casual passers-by. The water is directly accessible from the inner courtyard. The inner courtyard has a special quality within the overall plan, where all your senses can be stimulated. Broken Stelcon slabs are placed in basalt gravel, allowing vegetation to grow through the paving and at the same time allowing rainwater to infiltrate. The inner courtyard can be seen as a green wilderness with a hidden character, like an abandoned yard area, an unexpected hidden oasis in the city. The pavement in the garden is an extension of the homes and can be used by the residents.
The various roofs of the blocks have different purposes. One of the roofs serves as an ecological playground for children. A second roof has a bee garden with its own beekeeper. A third roof has the Oostenburger greenhouses, which provide food for the Roest restaurant and residents. The roof landscape thus plays a major role in water collection and electricity generation. The collected water is filtered and made suitable for reuse.