Architecture
West 8 supervised 100 emerging and established architects in their designs for a re-interpretation of the traditional Dutch canal house. The playful variation in façade designs led to an animated street elevation, culminating in the row of privately commissioned houses at the Scheepstimmermanstraat. The two realised ‘meteorites’ are the industrial brick apartment block Pacman (Koen van Velzen) and The Sfinx/The Whale, with its West 8-designed courtyard, a sloping roofline and zinc panelled facade (ArchitectenCie).
Public Space
Water is the dominant public domain of Borneo-Sporenburg, a quality celebrated by two landmark bridges. The scent of the wind, reflections and sunsets over the river IJ are pulled into the living environment. The wide architectural diversity asked for a ‘low-on-design’ public space. The streets are paved with Dutch brick and have large concrete kerbstones. The 19th century quay structures were simply renovated, while a diagonal green strip creates a sightline through Borneo-island.
