Powerhouse Company has just revealed its designs for “The Harmony” in the Amsterdam Zuidas area. Featuring two towers, The Canyon and The Coast, the project aims to blend office spaces, commercial areas, and affordable housing. “The Harmony” establishes a new link between the Zuidas district and the upcoming residential zone of Ravel.
Both towers are two separate components of the Harmony project, designed to harmonize living, working, and recreation. The design hopes to blend these different components with the surrounding architecture. Designed in collaboration with Zadelhoff, the project hopes to integrate the functions within the urban fabric, ultimately connecting Zuidas and Ravel.
The Canyon boasts soft filleted edges, while The Coast’s form is more angular and open. The project, divided into five volumes, is designed to be scaled in conversation with the neighborhood’s atmosphere. The offices and residential areas are positioned to provide easy access to the communal gardens, enhancing the urban experience. Nestled alongside the valley, The Canyon merges residential and office spaces, taking cues from natural canyons' organic shapes and warm tones. The primary entrance, dubbed The Canyon Passage, is a multi-story feature offering a captivating entry experience.
On the other hand, the Coast offers a hybrid structure combining natural and urban features, including a pebbled and birch-filled coastal garden. The design, which draws inspiration from coastal scenery, uses light colors to create a calming atmosphere, incorporating coastal formations into the architecture.
Both buildings feature inner gardens, seeking to create a tranquil atmosphere amidst the urban bustle. The buildings' overall sustainability is taken into consideration, as they boast carefully chosen exterior materials meant to reduce carbon emissions while improving aesthetics. The structures seek to blend with the cityscape, providing a green living space right in the heart of the city.
In other similar news, Foster + Partners has recently unveiled the designs of two neighboring residential towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The two towers offer waterfront living with a direct view of the Burj Khalifa. Similarly, Zaha Hadid Architects has just begun renovating the iconic Schuylkill Tower in Monaco, which was initially built in 1963. After conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the development’s progress, the studio plans on revitalizing the structure. Finally, MVRDV has recently won the competition to design two structures in Tianfu. Software Park in Chengdu, China. Boasting a cultural center, art museum, conference hall, library, and exhibition space, the buildings seek to act as a centerpiece to the entire campus.
