Houthaven, Amsterdam, NL

In the North harbour of Amsterdam we have been commissioned to design an apartment block for Synchroon BV.

The area was, until recently, industrial and our site, which was originally an area designated for the storage of large quantities of floating logs, has been claimed from the river. Our building takes its inspiration from the historic portside buildings that remain, and sites within a concept of finger-like docks on the river's edge.

All the facades are flat and made of brick with large vertical windows. The balconies on the north façade are stacked above each other and the entrance, and break the façade into two vertical parts. The facades each side are in two different coloured bricks creating a strong vertical emphasis. The theme of two coloured bricks carries around to the south the façade of the apartment building and the houses, and there the bricks are lighter in colour.