The distinctive, sculpted form of the project developed by Studioninedots defies the limitations imposed by urban planning. The MVRDV Master Plan establishes a series of volumetric "cuts" that guarantee natural light entering the streets and views from the residences. In response to this guideline, "Octavia Hill" adopts a cascading terrace structure that lends dynamism and a unique identity to the building.
On the exterior, the use of blue-green brick, combined with a uniform arrangement of windows and pillars, transforms "Octavia Hill" into an abstract object that sparks curiosity in its surroundings. The incorporation of two voids at the entrances interrupts the homogeneity of the complex, adding depth and hierarchy to the entrances.
As an urban element full of unexpected qualities, "Octavia Hill" presents itself as a sculpted volume that combines high-quality housing, common spaces that foster neighborhood cohesion and an expressive use of brick, contributing positively to the consolidation of Hyde Park as a vibrant and connected urban neighborhood.
"Octavia Hill" by Studioninedots. Photograph by Sebastian van Damme.
Project description by Studioninedots
With the completion of "Octavia Hill", a bold new residential building now takes its place at the heart of the Hyde Park Hoofddorp development!
Hyde Park in Hoofddorp, part of the Metropolitan Region Amsterdam, is rapidly evolving from a former office area into a vibrant urban district. Guided by MVRDV’s master plan, its 400,000 sqm of high-density urban blocks create a dynamic new neighbourhood. At the heart of the plan, Octavia.
Hill occupies one of the most prominent positions: a site defined by three intersecting urban axes and an unusual and narrow footprint.
"Our challenge was to create a building that houses as many as 124 quality social housing units in a complex volume, while activating the three urban axes around. "Octavia Hill" is our answer to this ambition."
Wouter Hermanns, partner.
We turned both the urban planning and the unique shape and scale of our site from two preconditions into the opportunity to create Octavia Hill as a new volume, that is at once abstract and distinctive. Seen from different angles, the building presents a shifting identity — from a pure, orthogonal block to a sculpted form that stirs your curiosity.
On the one hand, the master plan prescribed 'cuts' — bevels that allow daylight into the streets and views from the homes — at the top of the volumes. We converted this factor into an added quality: a cascading terrace structure on the upper floors, accessible to all residents and creating shared outdoor spaces that encourage interaction across every level.
In addition, each building in Hyde Park features so-called 'bites': cutaways that add depth to the facades and strengthen cohesion between all buildings. While in the other buildings these bites are positioned higher up in the facade, for "Octavia Hill" we convinced the project partners to place them at ground level, to not only give the two entrances to the public base more prominence, yet to leave more public space around the building.
"We turned both the urban planning and the unique shape and scale of our site from two preconditions into the opportunity to create Octavia Hill as a new volume, which is as abstract as it is distinctive."
Metin van Zijl, partner.
Within this defined envelope, we created high-quality and varied social housing, and brought it together with a community café and workspaces that will open for residents and the neighbourhood. In the five-metre-high plinth, deeper recesses with seating create places to relax, helping to further activate the surrounding streets.
We chose one single blue-green, engobed brick, which gives "Octavia Hill" a softened, silk-like reflection. Applying the bricks in a stack bond and equally spreading windows and piers along the facades render Octavia Hill an abstract object.
The same brick has been glazed in the bites, where it catches the light and highlights the entrances. Contrasting balustrades allow all windows to be fully opened while lending the building a warmer, more residential character.
By bringing together inventive massing, engaging communal spaces and a refined brick expression, Octavia Hill demonstrates how a complex site can give rise to a building full of unexpected qualities. More than providing high-quality homes, it enhances Hyde Park’s sense of place, supporting its transformation into a vibrant and connected urban neighbourhood.
