UNStudio has designed the final portion of a 225,000 square meter (2,420,000 square foot) urban plan for the district of Oosterdokseiland in the city center of Amsterdam. Located at the tip of the island, the last sub-plan will consist of a lively social hub and 72,500 square meters (780,000 square feet) of public facilities, apartments and office space for Amsterdam-based company Booking.com.
“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 UNStudio Founder Ben 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.”
Managed by developer BPD, the Oosterdokseiland development project began over fifteen years ago, and has since become the home of many new office buildings and public buildings, including libraries, hotels and a range of restaurants and cafes. While development was slowed due to the effects of the global economic recession, the final two lots on the island will now be completed.
"Oosterdokseiland is an appealing, central place to live, work and relax near Central Station,” said Grondzaken Alderman Eric van der Burg. “We are pleased to be able to create new public and living space here as well as offer Booking.com, which has its roots in Amsterdam, a venue that suits its growth and innovative way of working, something that is mirrored in the spirit of the city itself. Interdependence and mixing functions are at the heart of this project.”
Jeroen Galle, project director ODE on behalf of BPD: "In recent years Oosterdokseiland has become a dynamic place to come to, every day hundreds of people to work, live and go out here. It has become a modern part of the city of Amsterdam,” said Jeroen Galle, project director ODE on behalf of BPD. “The latter sub-plan, designed by UNStudio / Ben van Berkel, will be the finishing touch to the development of this area, overlooking the Oosterdok, the IJ and the old town."
Finalized plans and images will be released at a later date. The area is anticipated to be completed by 2020.
News via UNStudio.
