Studied Sites | AMS
Four sites located in the following neighborhoods were studied: Slotervaart, Biljmerbajes, Overhoeks, and Oosterdok. Each site can be leveraged in unique ways based on existing and emerging conditions. What follows is a SWOT analysis of each site and finally a winner is chosen.
Slotervaart Hospital The Slotervaart Hospital as the name implies is located in the Slotervaart area of Nieuw-West about 20 km from Centraal Station. The site occupies 0.14 Hectares set within a series of healthcare related facilities. The site itself would involve the renovation, perhaps radical renovation, of an existing hospital, Slotervaartziekenhuis, built in 1976.
Strengths: Proximity to A4 & A10 Access to Sloterpark Streetside bus & tram connectivity
Weaknesses: Very strong existing building form Internalized general form but w/potential edges of contact Removed from city center Bearing infrastructural edges on (2) sides Low concentration
Opportunities: Relationship to existing workplaces Leverage frequent area users and periodic visitor to hospital Outcrop/’skunkworks’ for businesses at Zuidas Approx. 7 minutes by car on A10) Approx. 8 minutes by car to port area
Threats: Intensive single use - healthcare Uncertain development pattern
Biljmerbajes Prison The Biljmerbajes prison as the name implies is located in Biljmer about 15 km from Centraal Station. The site occupies 0.28 Hectares and forms an existing prison complex that due to Holland's low crime rate is not intensively used. The site itself would involve the renovation, of the existing prison complex opened in 1978. The complex includes six towers connected by a low slung building serving as a kind of mega corridor.
Strengths: Proximity to Duivendrecht inter rail & metro station Proximity to Spaklerweg Metro Proximity to A2 & A10 Industrial/Business use nearby Access to Amstel River
Weaknesses: Strong existing building form Internalized site condition Constrained area by railway, A10, & canal Public connectivity Low concentration Opportunities: Relationship to local universities & businesses Leverage student users & user turnover for system feedback Outcrop/’skunkworks’ for businesses at Zuidas (approx. 7 minutes by car on A10) Threats: Non-continual programmatic use University/industry specific
Both the Slotervaart Hospital and the Biljmerbajes sites include the renovation of existing building typologies and therefore present illogical challenges to the intention of building a new prototype of radical policy experimentation and open labor practices.
Overhoeks Strip The Overhoeks development lies directly across the IJ from Centraal Station. The site occupies 0.17 Hectares and is situated amidst an emerging residential development (2,200 new units), the EYE Film Museum, and existing buildings with plans for more cultural activities and creative office space. The entire Overhoeks development occupies 20 acres, 7 of which are the new Shell New Technology Centre.
Strengths: Emerging mixed-use area Proximity to ferry, Centraal Station, & Downtown Amsterdam Proximity to Amsterdam-Noord Ring Road Greenways Quickly leave town for country
Weaknesses: Not intensive mixed-use or concentration ‘Shadow’ of EYE Museum Homogenous development Young - plans first developed in 2003 Opportunities: Connect to IJ (Lake) Introduce program lacking in immediate area Create public (open) space Young - plans first developed in 2003 Approx. 8 minutes by car to A10 & “country” Approx. 15 minutes by car to port area
Threats: Quick successive development Further homogeneity in building stock age Dependence on NTC (7 acres)
Oosterdok Island The Oosterdok Island embeds itself within a busy zone just east of Centraal Station. The island site is small yet sits within 1.36 Hectares of potential urban designed space. The area was master planned in the 1990's and since has seen the construction of the Nemo Museum designed by Renzo Piano as well as a largely successful library.
Strengths: Proximity to Centraal Station Proximity to IJ Tunnel Concentration of intensive use Public connectivity
Weaknesses: Atrocious continuous mass on north side Public connectivity Opportunities: Increasingly touristic - global feedback to system Relationship with library Approx. 11 minutes by car to A10 & “country” Develop relationships w/inhabitants of existing and emerging developments
Threats: Increasingly touristic -short duration feedback Intensive uses replaced by less intensive
In Conclusion, following the SWOT analysis of each site, the Overhoeks Strip appears most appropriate. The access via ferry, separated by the IJ from Centraal, allows the building to be placed in a specific spatial sequence that reinforces the nature of the building. The existing emerging development will also allow an intensification of use and the nearby Shell NTC a chance to serendipitously create relations and frictions between my proposal and an existing corporation. The Shell tower office space may be leveraged in the program and phasing proposal of incubators and growing companies that reside within my proposal.