Chewing gum factory: from neglected industrial site to dynamic urban neighborhood

When NEXT architects became the first tenant of the former Kauwgomballenfabriek in Amsterdam in 2007, the sweet smell still hung in the hallways and you were still sticking to the sticky floor. She has since been involved in the transformation of the factory as in-house architect and is thinking about the neighborhood around it. "It will be a lively living and working neighborhood," says partner and owner Marijn Schenk.

Anyone comparing photos of the site from the 1960s to today would hardly recognize the area. One thing is still the same, though: the Kauwgomballenfabriek is the heart of the neighborhood. Otherwise, the district has received a huge facelift. "After the war, the Americans and Canadians brought chewing gum to Europe," says Schenk. "The new company Maple Leaf cleverly capitalized on that. They produced chewing gum in all shapes and sizes. Later, the factory also produced Sportlife." When the gum ball producer closed the factory in 2003, a sad building remained. "It was really on the frayed edge of the city at the time," Schenk explains. "One of those places where it was unpleasant in the evening and at night. It was clear that something had to be done with the old complex." The factory was bought up and in 2007 new tenants moved in, NEXT architects being the first. "It was pretty bare, but as architects we naturally looked through that. This could be something, we thought." 

Combining heritage with new construction

NEXT architects became the in-house architect for the reformation of the building and, on its own initiative, developed a vision for the new residential area around it. "Back in 2012 we were already thinking about how to transform this area from an industrial zone with large halls into a dynamic residential and working district. In doing so, we put very strong emphasis from the beginning on preserving heritage and the strengths the property already has, combined with contrasting and modern new construction." When the municipality also put the transformation of the area on the agenda, NEXT became involved in the development vision.

Meanwhile, the area is undergoing considerable transformation, and the Chewing Gumball Factory is also being expanded. A building will be built on top of the existing warehouse and new high-rise buildings with vertical gardens will be erected at the front. All in all, some 9,000 m2 of additional office space is being added. "Transparency is very important here, as are light and air. This is how we bring old and new close together," Schenk explains. "One challenge with this is that we want to build as sustainably as possible, but at the same time use a lot of glass."

Ambitious project

For the architects at NEXT, this was a special project. "It is very special to see how our intuitive maquette from 2012 has slowly been brought to life and is starting to take shape. We are located in the middle of this project, so we see this area changing colors from very close up. This neighborhood has really become part of the city now." This ambitious project is very cleverly adding new layers to the city, Schenk says. "And that fits perfectly with how we as architects think about cities. Because even in an existing city or neighborhood, you can add quality with new architecture. In this way you create a dynamic and agile city, in which it is healthy and pleasant to live."