Studioninedots

Westbeat Housing Complex

WESTBEAT HOUSING COMPLEX

Studioninedots

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

CATEGORY
Park, Cultural Architecture, Community Center

YEAR
2020

ARCHITECTS
Studioninedots

LOCATION
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

AREA
24300 m²

CLIENT
Achmea Dutch Residential Fund

PHOTOGRAPHS
Frans Parthesius

CONTRACTOR
Heddes Bouw en Ontwikkeling BV

COST CALCULATION
Skaal

INSTALLATIONS
Huygen installatie advies

LIGHT
Clemens Lichtadvies

TECHNICAL ARCHITECT
Atelier Bouwkunde

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

The completion of Westbeat adds a dynamic new link in the public space network of Amsterdam Nieuw-West.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

Designed by Studioninedots the new housing complex features a public base composed of 86 arches that shape a network of inviting, shared open spaces.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

Measuring 65 x 50 metres and 8.5 metres high, this superspace literally and metaphorically elevates Westbeat to become a distinguished destination in the city’s densifying urban periphery.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

The gracefully arched spaces of Westbeat set a sculptural setting that invites residents, locals and the public to discover this new public hub and make it their own.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

This superspace alternates in function, hosting workspaces, hospitality venues, performances, concerts and more.

What supports this flexibility of use, also for the future, are vast areas of open floor space created by the high arched structures.

Diverse types of open and intimate spaces are shaped by the network of different sized arches and differences in floor heights.

Additionally, the arches are a visual and structural transition between the basement car park, with its wide spans, and the 150 dwellings above the superspace.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

Generous arches in the facade frame highlight the cultural activities within, with the largest arches positioned at the corner as an inviting gesture on this prominent address.

Westbeat has high ambitions. It marks the ‘Leap over the Ring’ (beyond the A10 highway), bridges the height differences on site with new pedestrian routes through the building and acts as a noise and traffic barrier using sound-dampening facades and green galleries.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

From a social perspective, Westbeat focuses on young urban residents and supports the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of this emerging neighbourhood.

In collaboration with the first occupants, Studioninedots will design their part of the interior of the superspace.

Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius
Westbeat Housing Complex
© Frans Parthesius

For Westbeat to become a social destination, the architecture needs to make a mark; such a vast arched public space creates the ‘wow’ factor we imagined.


Westbeat Housing Complex
Floor Plans
Westbeat Housing Complex
Sections

Studioninedots
T +31 20 4889269
Studioninedots
Karperweg 41, 1075 LB Amsterdam, Netherlands