A revival of industry and structuralism in Amsterdam. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots
28/11/2022.
[Amsterdam] The Netherlands
metalocus, DILYANA DRAGOEVA
metalocus, DILYANA DRAGOEVA
Dutch architectural practice Studioninedots creates a striking transformation of a prominent office building into a student housing building in the Staatsliedenbuurt neighborhood, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The pre-existing building, the Westerpark Industry, and Trade building, designed by Ae.G. and J.D. Postma in 1964, was a departure from the existing industrial area along Kostverlorenvaart with its office function, volume, and façade. Together with the heritage-listed former Graficolor and Wodan factories, it forms a complete U-shaped ensemble that turns the building inwards from the street.
The pre-existing building, the Westerpark Industry, and Trade building, designed by Ae.G. and J.D. Postma in 1964, was a departure from the existing industrial area along Kostverlorenvaart with its office function, volume, and façade. Together with the heritage-listed former Graficolor and Wodan factories, it forms a complete U-shaped ensemble that turns the building inwards from the street.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
Ground floor plan. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Fifth floor plan. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Longitudinal section. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Transversal section. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Exterior axonometric diagram. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Interior axonometric diagram. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Axonometric entrance diagram. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Interior spaces diagram. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Interior spaces collage image. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Westerpark Industry and Trade building. DC Van Hall by Studioninedots.
Due to the poor state of the building from a technical and energetic point of view, the renovation carried out by Studioninedots was necessary, while maintaining recognizable aspects of the original building such as the structure, the tripartite division of the building, and the original canopy on the ground floor. The original stone car park is transformed into a green space for users, reinterpreting the ground floor spaces.
The new metal façade provides uniformity and contrast in equal parts with the adjacent brick buildings. Inside, the original structural materiality is maintained, which is accompanied by pastel colors in the common areas and housing, and tubular lighting in the entrances and stairways turning them into recognizable spaces.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
The new metal façade provides uniformity and contrast in equal parts with the adjacent brick buildings. Inside, the original structural materiality is maintained, which is accompanied by pastel colors in the common areas and housing, and tubular lighting in the entrances and stairways turning them into recognizable spaces.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
Description of project by Studioninedots
At the corner of Donker Curtiusstraat and Van Hallstraat in Amsterdam, Studioninedots has created the surprising transformation of a prominent, 1964 office building. In the new DC Van Hall, we introduce studio housing for graduates and students, which together with creative workplaces and small-scale entrepreneurs bring new life to the surrounding Staatsliedenbuurt neighbourhood.
Designed by Ae.G. and J.D. Postma, the Westerpark Industry and Trade building added variation to the existing industrial buildings along Kostverlorenvaart, with its office function, volume and light curtain wall facades. Since then, the U-shaped complex forms a cluster together with the Graficolor and Wodan buildings – former pre-war factories which are now both heritage-listed – that turns the building inwards from the street. Due to the bad condition of the building from a technical and energy perspective, an extensive renovation was required.
“We gave the building a new life, reimagining its history and structuralist elements and bringing them together with surprising housing and ventures.”
Vincent van der Klei.
In the design, the original building is still recognisable in several ways. We revived the existing concrete structure by making it visible and contrasting it with both the new facade and the soft materialisation of the interior. The three-part building composition has been preserved, and the original canopy covering the adjacent pavements has also been recreated. The metal, coated facade elements make a contemporary gesture, yet subtly reflect the industrial past.
DC Van Hall by Studioninedots. Photograph by Peter Tijhuis.
A green space for residents and neighbours now exists on the site of the original stony car park at the core of the volume. The restaurant at the base also has a terrace on this side. The shop windows that used to face the street have been reinterpreted with new floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
“Due to the transparent plinth and open floor field on the ground floor, DC Van Hall not only connects to its surroundings, but we also allowed for a sense of lightness in the massive volume."
Stijn de Jongh.
The concrete columns, floors and ceilings add character to the new internal corridors, studios and shared spaces. The raw, unpolished concrete is complemented by a soft colour palette in the collective space and housing. With lines and patterns of tube lighting, we made the entrances and stairwell spaces recognisable both inside and outside.
The significance of DC Van Hall's new, darker facade is two-sided. The building aligns more closely now with the surrounding brick buildings in terms of mass, yet simultaneously we bring back the contrast with the brick facades that gave the building its autonomous character before the transformation. The configuration of the new apartments is perceptible in the staggered rhythm of the facade elements. The metal elements vary in colour under the influence of daylight, giving the building a changing presence throughout the day. The widening of the grid and windows towards the corner creates a shifted facade rhythm, providing DC Van Hall with its distinctive profile in the Staatsliedenbuurt neighbourhood.
More information
Architects
Project team
Albert Herder, Vincent van der Klei, Metin van Zijl, Joost Körver, Wouter Hermanns, Stijn de Jongh, Mai Bogø.
Collaborators
Client
Area
10,400 sqm.
Dates
2016-2022.
Location
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Photography
Albert Herder, Vincent van der Klei, Arie van der Neut, Metin van Zijl. Studioninedots
Studioninedots was established in 2011 by Albert Herder, Vincent van der Klei, Arie van der Neut and Metin van Zijl as an architecture and urban design practice whose work extends from housing to urban concepts. Their practice excels in projects that transform complex urban sites, interweaving the built environment with the social fabric of a city. They are fascinated by the processes of (re)using or activating these sites; their dynamic contexts often demand unconventional solutions yet inspire new collective ways of living.
When facing urban challenges, they identify opportunities in circularity and, at the same time, embrace beauty and tactility as essential human needs. They team up: they adopt a collaborative approach that inspires, challenges and strengthens our work. Together with their clients and partners, they translate forward-thinking ideas and designs into a realistic framework, creating characteristic spaces that function as catalysts for meeting, exchange and connection.
Studioninedots is a multidisciplinary design practice with professionals working across architecture, interiors and urban planning. Studioninedots is based in Amsterdam, a city that inspires their with its open-mindedness, adaptability and creativity. With this in mind they initiated the Creative Workspace 1-1-1 in the former Stork factory building located along the Gedempt Hamerkanaal in Amsterdam’s north. It has an unfinished quality like its surroundings, thrives in its temporality, balances between rawness and comfort and has an element of unpredictability in its use: Studioninedots own WeSpace.
When facing urban challenges, they identify opportunities in circularity and, at the same time, embrace beauty and tactility as essential human needs. They team up: they adopt a collaborative approach that inspires, challenges and strengthens our work. Together with their clients and partners, they translate forward-thinking ideas and designs into a realistic framework, creating characteristic spaces that function as catalysts for meeting, exchange and connection.
Studioninedots is a multidisciplinary design practice with professionals working across architecture, interiors and urban planning. Studioninedots is based in Amsterdam, a city that inspires their with its open-mindedness, adaptability and creativity. With this in mind they initiated the Creative Workspace 1-1-1 in the former Stork factory building located along the Gedempt Hamerkanaal in Amsterdam’s north. It has an unfinished quality like its surroundings, thrives in its temporality, balances between rawness and comfort and has an element of unpredictability in its use: Studioninedots own WeSpace.
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