A new, two-tower mixed-use scheme from Studio Gang has been delivered in Amsterdam, representing a first for the firm on the continent as it looks to grow outside of the American market with recent expansions into Canada and now the EU.
The 297,170-square-foot Q Residences are meant to address the capital region’s considerable housing needs with a scheme that adds 248 total residences located in the center of Buitenveldert – one of the last “garden cities” constructed in Amsterdam following the conclusion of World War II.
Studio Gang says their design “brings a more organic, sculptural feel to the rational rectilinearity of the surrounding 1950s developments.” Its two volumes distribute the residential program into mid- and high-rise forms dubbed Qube and Quartz, respectively. A series of angled balconies are set at staggering depths and cascade down the taller structure in what the architects described as an origami-like pattern. The mid-rise Qube’s design repeats the generously-portioned balconies in order to offer increased natural light and access to the neighborhood’s verdant surroundings.
"We designed Q Residences to strengthen residents’ connection to each other and to the ample green spaces that define Buitenveldert,” Gang further explained in a press statement. “At ground level, Qube and Quartz form a new generous public plaza that brings people together around art and landscape. And on Quartz, the balconies migrate in and out of the façade to extend sightlines diagonally in all directions and allow residents be part of the building and in synch with the city and each other at the same time.”
Piet Oudolf and Deltavormgroep were responsible for the design of the public plaza that surrounds the development. Finally, a combination of PV paneling, energy-efficient envelopes, high-performance heating and cooling systems, and a green roof enable a “ambitious sustainability agenda.” This is the fourth major residential project to open in the city this year following the debut of the HAUT mass timber tower from Arup, BIG and Barcode's cantilevering Sluishuis residences, and MVRDV’s new Valley design that was completed in late September.
6 Comments
Ok Chatbot ROAST THE PROJECT:
In Amsterdam, a city known For its rich history and charm, A box extruded, on its own, With no connection to its surroundings.
It stands there, unassuming, A simple, plain, and unadorned cube, No frills or fuss, no bells or whistles, Just a box, extruded, unremarkable.
Yet, to some, it may hold beauty, A symbol of function and form, A reminder that even the most basic Can have its own appeal, in its own way.
So, let us not judge this box too harshly, For it, like all of us, has its place, In the bustling city of Amsterdam, A basic extruded box, with no context.
Studio Gang needs to use its elevated position in the profession to do much more innovative work that what we see here. Their high rise residential jobs are pretty formulaic at this point: a box with some kind of cranked facade action or shifted floorplates.
That's literally the entire schtick of the studio, at least on their high-rise residential jobs. Expecting them to change that is just asking for disappointment.
I made the comment because I am already disappointed. Stuff like this relegates them to the same space as Arquitectonica or ODA, rather than something bigger and more compelling.
You take that back! Arquitectonica are legends! Hahahaha.
Early 1980s Arquitectonica work is amazing.
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