Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
The Albert Cuyp garage in Amsterdam designed by ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architects has been chosen by the jury as the winner of the 2019 International Architizer A+Awards in the Architecture + Urban Transformation category.
Bas Symons, project architect at ZJA: "We are very honored with this Architizer A+ Award for the Albert Cuypgarage in Amsterdam and the recognition by the jury. The Albert Cuyp garage is a great example of how a neighborhood can transform and create more street space for residents in a densely populated city with limited public space. An ideal example for other cities with little space above ground."
Invisible under moat
The Albert Cuypgarage was built by Max Bögl Nederland B.V. on behalf of the municipality of Amsterdam with the aim of enhancing the livability in Amsterdam's De Pijp district and making better use of scarce public space. The parking garage is almost invisible at street level, as it is completely hidden under an existing canal and thus blends into the urban landscape. The parking garage not only creates space for parking by making efficient use of the limited public space, but also provides space for relaxation, greenery and children playing.
Transformation of a neighborhood
The narrow streets of the Pijp had little room for greenery, cyclists and pedestrians. In addition, parking pressure was high, resulting in a lot of searching traffic. In the Frans Hals neighborhood in De Pijp, almost all on-street parking spaces were removed and moved to the parking garage. Former parking spaces were rearranged to create more public space for new playgrounds, plants and squares. This transformed the neighborhood into an attractive area with more space for cyclists, pedestrians and greenery. The quality of life in Amsterdam's De Pijp district has improved enormously with wider, greener and quieter streets, and an almost car-free neighborhood has been created.
Floating gardens
In the streets of De Pijp, the arrival of the Albert Cuyp garage has created more space for plants, flowers and trees that nicely complement the greenery on the water of the Boerenwetering. Indeed, along the banks of the Boerenwetering, on the roof of the Albert Cuyp garage, the fifty-five floating water gardens have returned, which the residents of De Pijp have maintained for more than twenty years. They are made of large wooden boxes in which various aquatic plants grow, improving not only water quality but also the appearance of the bare quay walls. The water gardens also offer water birds a safe nesting place.
Architizer
The Architizer A+ Awards, based in New York, is one of the largest architecture awards organized and is considered an important recognition of the best architectural projects of the year.
