DE TELEFOONCENTRALE
From Telecom Building to Mixed-use Block: Redevelopment on Kamerlingh Onneslaan
At Kamerlingh Onneslaan 1 in Amsterdam, Aham Vastgoed, in collaboration with Ronald Janssen Architecten, has transformed a former telecom building into a mixed-use residential and work complex. The project combines transformation, vertical extension, and mixed-use programming, while preserving the existing structural shell.
A Building with History
The original building, located on the corner of Kamerlingh Onneslaan and Middenweg, dates back to 1923 and served as Amsterdam’s fifth telecom building. It was designed by Albert Boeken. Originally, the entrance was located on the park side, accessible via an alley from Middenweg. In the 1960s, Kamerlingh Onneslaan was constructed, and the main entrance was moved to the new street side. At that time, a portal—featuring sculpture work by Hildo Krop from the telecom building on Herengracht—was added to the building.
Transformation and Vertical Extension
The existing structure has been repurposed for residential use. Three additional floors were added: one within the existing volume and two as a vertical extension. The design aligns with the existing proportions and facade composition. The characteristic rhythm of low–high–medium-high–high–low is continued, as is the alternation between piers and window openings. Vertical slats mark the new upper floors, spanning two stories and visually extending the facade structure. Set-back rooftop terraces with integrated planters provide the transition to the roof.
Granite was used for the new facade material, complementing the original decorative stonework from 1923. At both ends of the building, volumes were added to house stairwells and communal spaces, fitting in with the existing massing.
Living and Working
The project’s mixed-use character is expressed through the active ground floor and the residential units above. The ground floor houses flexible commercial spaces, artist studios, and supporting hospitality functions. This programming targets artists, makers, and small entrepreneurs. A shared courtyard forms the building's entrance and connects to the park across the street.
The upper floors accommodate 33 residential units, all featuring mezzanines to provide additional usable space within the existing building height. The housing mix includes 5 social rental units, 7 mid-range rental units, and 21 market-rate units. The basement includes storage rooms and a bicycle parking facility with around 50 spaces. Through the expansion, the building’s gross floor area has increased from 2,930 m² to 5,100 m².
