Ben van Berkel wins project to revitalise Amsterdam
– Ben van Berkel
Ben van Verkel and his firm UNStudio have won one of the largest urban projects in Western Europe: the redevelopment of Amsterdam’s Oosterdokseiland island.
The 225,000sq m (2.4 million sq ft) scheme, located to the east of the city’s main station, will see the practice create a social hub designed to “encourage encounters” between the public and workers in the district. In total, 72,500sq m (780,300sq ft) of space will be allocated for public facilities.
“The design for this fully integrated new urban campus is envisioned as a highly multifunctional living and working environment, enriched with special amenity and public programmes,” said van Berkel. “The urban gesture of the building weaves together with the existing streets, while the east side of the building will become a recognisable emblem for Oosterdok.”
The development of the island began over fifteen years ago, but gradually slowed following the global recession. Planning is now underway for the last two lots, and it is hoped the area will be in use by the end of 2020.
"In recent years Oosterdokseiland has become a dynamic place to come to and every day hundreds of people to work, live and go out here,” said Jeroen Galle, a representative of developer BDP. “It has become a modern part of the city of Amsterdam. The sub-plan designed by UNStudio will be the finishing touch to the development of this area.”
UNStudio Ben van Berkel Amsterdam Oosterdokseiland Netherlands architecture designUNStudio win design competition for 'invogorating' urban quarter in Frankfurt
Democratic design: Den Bosch residents vote for UNStudio to design new theatre
Dutch theatre unveiled with adjustable ceiling for concerts
UNStudio chosen to design new theatre in West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong
FEATURE: Profile – Dutch master
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more