BIG and Barcode Architects have teamed up to design a mixed-use building in the neighborhood of IJburg, Amsterdam, which will include 380 zero-energy residences, commercial and common areas, 240 underground parking spaces, and a comprehensive water-quality program. The international team has won the competition to create a landmark in the emerging neighborhood of IJburg, bridging the new urban district to the harbor areas near Amsterdam’s historic city center.

Titled Sluishuis, the program occupies 46,000 square meters with mixture of terraced housing and commercial facilities. Located between the dense city and the vast landscapes on the edge of Amsterdam, the new Sluishuis is shaped by its complex surroundings at once close to large infrastructure and to small scale urban settlements. 

The classical courtyard building is revitalized by two transformations; it fully embraces the idea of living on the water and appears different from every vantage point. Toward the water the block is lifted up, forming a large opening that brings water from the IJ Lake into the courtyard and brings daylight and views to the complex’s inner apartments. Toward the neighboring urban district the block steps down like a cascade of landscaped terraces, creating a natural transition from cityscape to smallerscale, natural surroundings.

''Having spent my formative years as an architect in Holland at the end of the 20th century, it feels like a homecoming to now get to contribute to the architecture of the city that I have loved and admired for so long. Our Sluishuis is conceived as a city block of downtown Amsterdam floating in the IJ Lake, complete with all aspects of city life'', said Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG.

''Towards the city, the courtyard building kneels down to invite visitors to climb its roof and enjoy the panoramic view of the new neighborhoods on the IJ. Toward the water, the building rises from the river, opening a gigantic gate for ships to enter and dock in the port/yard. A building inside the port, with a port inside the building'', added Bjarke Ingels.

A promenade with public programs winds around the building and continues into the water, forming an archipelago of islands with houseboats, a sailing school, and floating gardens. 

A public passage climbs the cascading terraces of the building, serving as a small rooftop street that eventually loops onto the very top of the building to create a viewing platform over the IJ Lake. 

The passage will not only create adestination for visitors and neighbors, but will connect the residential units to each other and create a unique three dimensional community between the residents of the building.

''The world famous urban environment of Amsterdam was created by the fusion of water and city. The new Sluishuis is born of the same DNA, merging water and perimeter block and expanding the possibilities for urban lifeforms around the IJ,'' Andreas Klok Pedersen, Partner, BIG.

The silhouette of Sluishuis will change as one moves around the building. At one vantage point it appears as the bow of a ship that reflects the water below; at another a vertical green community that invites visitors to engage directly with it; and finally as a true urban block with street access and city liveliness that is to be enjoyed by residents, neighbors, and the rest of Amsterdam.

Project Facts

Name: Sluishuis
Code: Sluis
Date: 28/11/2016
Program: Housing
Status: In Progress
Size in m2: 46000
Project type: Competition
Client: VORM / BESIX
Collaborators: BARCODE Architects, Bosh Slabbers, ABT, Van Rossum, Buro Bouwfysica, Klimaatgarant, BIG Ideas
Location Text: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Project Team
Partners in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Klok Pedersen
Design Lead: Dimitrie Grigorescu
Project Manager: Birgitte Villadsen
Team: Justyna Mydlak, Nina Vuga, Santtu Johannes Hyvärinen, Jonas Aarsø Larsen, Kirsty Badenoch, Vinish Sethi, Yannick Macken, Ulla Hornsyld, Brage Mæhle Hult, Sebastian Liszka, Sabine Kokina, Jakob Lange, Tore Banke, Kristoffer Negendahl, Manon Otto, Carolien Schippers

All images courtesy of BIG

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