Makers Neighbourhood
Winning proposal for Europan 14 in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s city centre is expanding and brings along development pressure on areas that possess social qualities. Our exploration starts from the tension between high density needs and the local self built spirit. Our aim is to preserve the rugged and self made identity and enrich it through the new development. We have a strong focus on social sustainability and consider this the backbone of our proposal.
We see the area organised around 4 core principles:
- A density gradient
- Strong axis and flexible fabric structure
- Water access and view lines
- Production and collective spaces
We consider our collective spaces the glue that binds together the proposed work and living spaces. The proposed fabric has blurred boundaries with in-between spaces, connecting elements on various levels. In the spirit of circular economy, we consider important the closeness of program and collective spaces.
Following these principles, we believe our structure can accommodate a mix of program that can have the following themes:
- re/make
- re/use and recycling
- re/invent
The volumes and the public space in the project site are shaped in order to become one strong piece of the new city. The public space in between buildings plays a strategic role in the achievement of the overall strategy, where shared space, and collective spaces are a programmatic extension of the inner space.
The traditional scheme, where productive activities are placed on the ground floor and housing on top, is here revolved.
