Huys Africa residential building

At a glance

Project by: KCAP Architects&Planners
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Preview image

Huys Africa residential building (KCAP Architects&Planners)

© Jeroen Musch

Project images

	Huys Africa © Jeroen Musch View project image
	Huys Africa © Jeroen Musch View project image
	Huys Africa © Jeroen Musch View project image
	Huys Africa © Jeroen Musch View project image
	Huys Africa © David Luque View project image

Architect's statement

Along the banks of the river IJ in Amsterdam, a former dock-land is being transformed into a high-density residential and working area. The increased density is achieved by placing new volumes in front of, behind, alongside and/or above the existing warehouses. This results in a spatial ensemble with a capacity to include the various programmes intended. The volumes are divided into horizontal programmatic zones.

The new building has been designed as a periscope that overlooks the old Africa warehouse in the direction of the river, with respect to the cruise-ship terminal. The entrance to the new Africa warehouse has been formed by maximising the integration of living and working, as well as the creating of a mix between old and new.

The building is to be accessed by a central corridor. The second lift and staircase connects the building to a subterranean parking garage. The facade is made of rust-coloured prefabricated concrete elements that form a ‘fabric’ in order to emphasise the sculptural properties of the volume. This choice of colour works well with the atmosphere created by the warehouses and the quays.

The northern façade, which faces the river, has been tilted up and is in its entirety constructed of glass. This double façade forms a barrier to the noisy ships. Due to the disturbing noise levels from the adjacent railway line, the other façades are to be made of extra thick glazed elements. The newly placed columns interact with the existing ones in a manner by which the building’s proportions are retained, thus doing justice to this monument.

Project details:

Client: Heijmans IBC Property Development, Almere-Stad
Architect: KCAP Architects&Planners, Rotterdam
Description: Housing complex with 52 apartments, including renovation of Africa warehouse (by Villa Nova) and new design of Building D
Location: Oostelijke Handelskade, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Time frame: 1998-2009
Contractor: Heijmans IBC Construction
Consultants: structural engineering: D3BN, building services: Deerns, building physics: Peutz & Associés, Zoetermeer, fire safety: DGMR engineering consultants, Arnhem