Pentagons
Social Housing, renovation and revitalisation
Typologie: Residential, Transformation, Urban Development, Architecture
Location: Steelvlietplein, Osdorp-Amsterdam, NL
Design Team: Leander Bakker, Joep Bastiaans, MJH, Mats Horck & Nicolai Liebregts
The Amsterdam suburb Osdorp is known for its green character. Open spaces creating a bright atmosphere should be the transcending idea of this quarter. A repeating pattern of long stretched building blocks set the framework for these open spaces. But these huge monotone blocks form an open space that lacks quality.
The building plot is defined by both older and modern buildings. The demolition of one of the old buildings creates the opportunity to realise a new vision. A vision that must be about human measures, proportions and should emphasize and favor human encounters. The biggest step in this realisation process is dividing the bulky and massive original block into eight smaller units that create individual open spaces and make room for more green areas.
Slow traffic must be guided fluently by the new building blocks. Therefore the appearance of the whole neighbourhood has to be of an organic character. The open space has to offer lush vegetation instead of a green field with some trees on it.
In combination with the 'random' placing of the Urban Villa's, this results in a pentagonal form. This shape doesn't provide a parallel grid in contrast with a square and the hexagon. The obtuse angles on the corners of the volumes ensure a flowing public space. The pentagonal buildings hereby support the open space in order to establish a qualitative spatial experience and interaction.
The municipality Osdorp has to deal with a large number of cultures, different age segments and households of diverse composition. This makes differentiated housing a necessity. The design for this area provides housing for starters, singles, young urban professionals, elder people and all sorts of families. Both the new buildings and the renovated buildings contain maisonnettes. The living room and kitchen on the ground floor ensure a lively connection with the surrounding open space.
Slow traffic must be guided fluently by the new building blocks. Therefore the appearance of the whole neighbourhood has to be of an organic character. The open space has to offer lush vegetation instead of a green field with some trees on it.
In combination with the 'random' placing of the Urban Villa's, this results in a pentagonal form. This shape doesn't provide a parallel grid in contrast with a square and the hexagon. The obtuse angles on the corners of the volumes ensure a flowing public space. The pentagonal buildings hereby support the open space in order to establish a qualitative spatial experience and interaction.
The municipality Osdorp has to deal with a large number of cultures, different age segments and households of diverse composition. This makes differentiated housing a necessity. The design for this area provides housing for starters, singles, young urban professionals, elder people and all sorts of families. Both the new buildings and the renovated buildings contain maisonnettes. The living room and kitchen on the ground floor ensure a lively connection with the surrounding open space.
Architecture
The floor plans of the pentagonal building are formed, not only by the external shape, but also by the entrance. You can describe the building as a folded rectangle which provides a central hall where the lift is located. The staircase is located next to this hall and is doubled for fire safety.
Five equal 'units' are created by partition walls placed in angles of 90 degrees. These units can be connected with each other, both on the same level or by stairs between two different levels.
The angle of 90 degrees is very useful for the placing of furniture and therefore integrated in the design of the floor plans. The only locations where other angles can be found are the kitchen, the bathroom and the balcony; spaces where you won't need a 90 degrees angle.
The ground floor of the maisonnettes have two connections with the open space: the front door and the living room. Next to the living room there's a personal area defined by planters. By designing these planters along with the building they become one. The absence of fences ensures contacts between residents. Both pedestrians and cyclists may use the paths, but they're also accessible for cars in case of emergency.
Architecture
The floor plans of the pentagonal building are formed, not only by the external shape, but also by the entrance. You can describe the building as a folded rectangle which provides a central hall where the lift is located. The staircase is located next to this hall and is doubled for fire safety.
Five equal 'units' are created by partition walls placed in angles of 90 degrees. These units can be connected with each other, both on the same level or by stairs between two different levels.
The angle of 90 degrees is very useful for the placing of furniture and therefore integrated in the design of the floor plans. The only locations where other angles can be found are the kitchen, the bathroom and the balcony; spaces where you won't need a 90 degrees angle.
The ground floor of the maisonnettes have two connections with the open space: the front door and the living room. Next to the living room there's a personal area defined by planters. By designing these planters along with the building they become one. The absence of fences ensures contacts between residents. Both pedestrians and cyclists may use the paths, but they're also accessible for cars in case of emergency.
The placement of the walls that separate the units becomes clear in the 3D section. In combination with a 3D model you can see the relationship between these supporting walls and the bearing facade.
The staircase can be spanned in another direction parallel to the facade which allows for a transparent facade in this area. The atrium has an open character too. From the balconies you can oversee the playgrounds and the flower garden next to the building.
The roof rests on top of the building mass and is covered by sedum to keep the streets from flooding. The higher buildings in Osdorp now grant a view on a green oasis.
The balconies are partly protruding, without reducing the insulation of the building. The key concept of the design, using obtuse angles, is preserved.
Sidenote: the use of the pentagonal shape was a means of working with obtuse angles; not a means in itself.
The facade contributes to the natural character of the neighbourhood. Instead of landing like an ufo, the building arises from the soil.
A double layer of dark brown handmade bricks define the base of the building. These bricks are also used for the facade up to the windows on the second floor. From there on smooth brickstrips in a lighter colour are used until the roof. This provides a transition from dark and rough to light and smooth, but also has a positive impact on the construction. The brickstrips are lighter in weight and easier to mount.
Character has been added to the neighbourhood by a design that's breathing. The green fields are filled with plants and trees and the human scale is brought back by several smaller building blocks.
These blocks provide smooth movements through the area and connections between citizens. City life in a natural setting with an organic structure where coexistence of different identities is encouraged.
