Oostenburg Retrospective: Architecture in the Netherlands – Excursion #2
Yearbook Architecture in the Netherlands 2023/2024 – Excursion #2 – Oostenburg, Amsterdam
On Friday 4 October, we set out for Oostenburg: a new urban district built on a site with a rich history. It was once home to the United East India Company. And during the industrial revolution, this island was the scene of machine factories: for years, steam engines and locomotives were made here. Now Oostenburg is being developed into a mixed residential-work area.
The soft map of Oostenburg
We started the afternoon in the community centre of Foundation over the Bridge, where Tess Broekmans of Urhahn urban planning & strategy talked about the urban plan and project ‘The soft map of Oostenburg’, in which Urhahn investigates how people live in a high-density urban district that is still on the drawing board. What remains in reality of the render presented to future residents? And how does a close-knit community develop in a new neighbourhood? With these questions as a starting point, we began the excursion criss-crossing Oostenburg.
Stadswerf Oostenburg: large-scale and playful housing development
Architect Ronald Janssen took us to Stadswerf Oostenburg. Over a third of all houses in the area are here. Yet it is not a uniform building complex, but a playful block with many different designs. The green courtyard garden – designed by Urhahn – is now in full bloom, but due to ongoing construction problems, not all residents have yet been able to move into their homes. A few also had to temporarily leave their flats after moving in anyway due to much-needed improvements. So the dream of rendering the new house, does not always become an instant reality in an area yet to be developed.
De Draaier: designing collective spaces
Our second stop was residential tower the Draaier, designed by Beta Office. The 95 flats are located along the waterfront and around the monumental Werkspoor hall. Architect Evert Klinkenberg gave us a unique insight into the residential tower. Together, we visited the lobbies – collective spaces where residents can meet – and the communal roof terrace. During the tour, Evert expressed his doubts about the use of the collective spaces. The lobbies are strategically positioned, so all residents first pass through this space before entering their own homes. These include an intimate reading room, a communal kitchen and a winter garden. Whether the spaces are actually used by residents remains to be seen. Creating a sense of community in a newly completed residential tower with all new residents is and remains a difficult task.
Developing public space: through the eyes of photographer Rubén Dario Kleimeer
On our way to the Steam Power, we made a stop at the corner of Pieter Goosstraat and Oostenburgenmiddenstraat, where Ruben shot one of his photos for the yearbook. Not only Ruben, but also residents are dissatisfied with this stretch of the street. Little progress has been made since last year’s photo. The result is a bumpy path, countless bikes and large rubbish containers in front of the door. With projects under development, the public space is often tackled last, Oostenburg being no exception.
De Stoomkracht: wide galleries for greenery and encounters
At the Stoomkracht, architect Freyke Hartemink (HOH architects) took us through the design of this double building for seniors, and the choice of the striking black-tiled facade. We also took a look inside the complex. Unlike the hard shell, the communal courtyard and collectively maintained roof garden gave the complex a soft core. Ivy slowly grows against the façade as a buffer from the concrete, and on the wide gallery there is plenty of space for meeting and greenery. A proud resident also opened up her home for everyone to take a look.
How does a close-knit community develop in a new residential neighbourhood?
This question seems to recur in many designs in Oostenburg. Communal gardens, collective lobbies or wide galleries – in various ways the architects are trying to create spaces for meeting. In the meantime, they are also working hard on the still vacant spaces in the area. For the Werkspoor hall, Urhahn wants a public infill so that the monumental hall remains accessible to everyone. At the same time, more and more entrepreneurs are moving into the plinth: from flower shops, liquor stores and interior design showrooms to new catering establishments like Papa Zatarra. In this way, you can see how the area is slowly but surely developing into an interesting living-working area, right next to the water and a stone’s throw from the centre of Amsterdam.
In collaboration with Rubén Dario Kleimeer & Stephan Petermann & with support of the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie.
Also read the retrospective of excursion #1: Sphinxkwartier, Maastricht
Curtious to the Architecture in the Netherlands yearbook? Take a look at the edition 2023/2024 via our webshop!
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