Borneo Sporenburg Residential Complex

Klaus-Peter Gast

Description

High-density housing following a prescribed general plan was erected on former dockland in the Amsterdam harbour area. Tongues of land extending far out into the water acquired tight, linear development in rows, with some very narrow plot parcels. The density and tightly-packed nature of the units is reminiscent of the former dock development, built mainly of brick. Neutelings and Riedijk ended the block on the sea side with an additive structure made up of three basic units with an additional end building. Two southern units face the water and have individual garages on the ground floor; above this is the living area, extending over both parcels, with a kitchen for unit 1 and a smaller bedroom area for unit 2. The occupants of this second unit have a kitchen with terrace attached right at the top on the second floor, so that the prescribed parcel width can be read as strictly additive in the changing building height. On the north side opposite, the third unit extends over the width of two parcels. A conservatory living room, glazed over two storeys, provides light for the adjacent rooms on the first floor, with the bedroom area on the floor above. There are five house units with a more flexible ground plan in the end building, so that the occupants had to decide themselves where they would live or even work. A run of space 2.4 m wide at the back provides a fixed wet and access area here.

The architects developed an integrated structure with equal parts from strict urban development requirements involving tightly constricted strip plots. Its special quality lies in being reminiscent of the historic dock development in dimensions and materials, but above all gives the block a sense of overall completeness. Despite the additive differentiation, the necessary size of the development is not played down or broken down into transfiguring parts. Two long rows with different material qualities on each side and an end building look confident and remain what they are: high-density living in a uniform design.