Former industrial site becomes residential neighborhood

The blocks differ in terms of facade and height, yet form a single unit. The overall project, designed by three architectural firms, includes 54 free sector rental apartments, 97 social rental studios and 500 square meters of office space. Construction work began in early 2019 and the project was handed over to the housing corporation on November 26, 2020.   

It was once a shipyard, then a site for heavy industry, but now a total of about 1,800 homes are being built on Oostenburgereiland. Housing corporation Stadgenoot is building about 500 social housing units itself, while the remaining units will be developed by investors for the free sector. "Heijmans Woningbouw and Stadgenoot signed a Design & Build agreement for the realization of the five blocks on the former industrial site. Architectuur Lokaal then launched a competition to come up with the design for these blocks," says Heijmans project manager Hindrik de Vos. "Three architects were eventually chosen to work out the project. Bureau Fraai from Amsterdam designed Buildings A and C, Laura Alvarez Architecture, also from Amsterdam, designed Block B, and Architectuur Maken from Rotterdam was responsible for the design and materialization of Buildings D and E. Inbo translated the designs into a combined plan."

Different blocks, one whole

The result is a combination of blocks with divergent facades and different heights that still fit together. Block A, which includes 500 m² of office space, is constructed of precast concrete sandwich elements covered with anthracite-colored panels with a triangular 3D print, creating a very lively image. However, the major challenge was to transport the immense elements with a width of 5 meters and height of 3 meters through Amsterdam to the construction site. The facade of Block B is clad in glazed bricks. Laura Alvarez Architecture designed a pattern with lots of glazed bricks at the bottom and a lot less at the top. The interplay between bricks and sun creates a special shade. "Block C stands out because of its red color and large windows. Window frames, balconies, brickwork ... everything seems to be the same color. Block D, the bicycle shed, consists as much as possible of natural and circular materials. The shell is constructed in wood frame construction and wood also returns in the window frames, floor boards and as cladding in combination with pieces in expanded metal," said the project manager. "Block E houses 97 youth housing units with areas between 25 and 30 m²." Thanks to a modular construction system, it is possible to respond flexibly to future demands for larger housing units. "Small apartments were provided on the first floor, four of which are suitable for the disabled. This building is characterized by the striking green color of old machinery, which can be found in both the steel structure and the masonry. Between the buildings are wide galleries where residents can enjoy the outdoor space. Behind the building complex is another shared courtyard garden for tenants."

Recently transferred to housing corporation

After a year of designing, the building permit was granted in December 2018, after which the construction of a collective heat network began. Piling started in February 2019 and just before the Christmas vacations the buildings were at height. Last summer, all facades were completed and on November 26, the total project was handed over to Stadgenoot. Meanwhile, the first residents have moved into Oostenburgereiland. In the coming years, this former industrial area will be transformed into a lively residential neighborhood.  

Project info

Smooth completion of E-installations new building project K2 Oostenburgereiland

Main contractor Heijmans contacted SDR Elektrotechniek for the electrical installations in the residential and office project on Oostenburgereiland, which was commissioned by housing corporation Stadgenoot.

"We had done jobs for both partners in the past. That's how they came to us again. We realized the strong- and weak current installations, lighting, access control and videophone installation, fire protection and emergency lighting," says project manager of new construction projects André Praat. "We received the order at the end of 2018 and then immediately started the preparation, detailed design and engineering of all installations. In May last year, we started the installation in the various blocks of apartments, studios and offices."

Project execution went smoothly, thanks in part to the logistical measures taken to build on this site. There was limited space on the construction site and only one access road where all construction traffic for multiple projects had to pass. Time blocks were set up for this purpose, which could be reserved by the construction partners. This method of working required good cooperation between the construction partners and precise planning of the supply of materials. No problem for SDR, and in November the project was completed entirely on schedule.

Construction Info

Client 
Housing corporation Stadgenoot, Amsterdam

Architect 
Bureau Fraai, Amsterdam, Laura Alvarez Architecture, Amsterdam and Architectuur Maken, Rotterdam

Main contractor 
Heijmans Woningbouw, Amersfoort