Paris-based architecture practice Manuelle Gautrand Architecture has released images for the new colourful housing comprised of nine buildings that create "thematic houses" in the Hyde Park district of Amsterdam, whose master plan was produced by Dutch architecture firm MVRDV.

Led by Manuelle Gautrand, who won the 2017 European Prize For Architecture, the project will consist of a total of 400 housing units and aims to change the skyline of the city with its ascending and defending form. 

Divided into nine buildings that make up "thematic" houses, the buildings are organized around a landscaped island core and create a distinguished silhouette within the city. The preliminary concept of the project was filed in December 2018. 

"Each house is the object of a different architectural work, in its colors, its materials, its heights, its volumes, etc. Overall cohesion has been maintained under this apparent diversity, in order to create a harmonious "village" favoring well-being together," said Manuelle Gautrand Architecture. 

"This project develops ambitious goals in environmental terms and integration of new uses," added the architects.

The architects described each housing unit separately and called House 1 as BIG Bite: the main volume is composed of white bricks. Glazed bricks make up the circulation spaces. This alternation between the white color and the iridescent effect of the glass bricks allow to highlight and value the composition of the apartments, including duplex housing. The main volume is composed of white bricks.

House 2/Stripes and Playful House is described as the main volume which is covered with large metal and colored panels. The circulation spaces are composed in white brick. This facade treatment creates a joyous architecture, in a panel of tones that echo the other buildings of the "village".

House 3/Big Loggias House's facades are covered with large glazed panels, like gigantic windows. They complete the large wooden loggias arranged around the building, giving outdoor spaces privileged to the occupants.

House 4/Long Terraces House is made of red bricks, reminiscent of traditional buildings in the region. Each unit has a long and wide blue metal terrace, which reminds them of the colors of the sky.

House 5/Expressive Sculpture At The Corner: This corner building is designed as a black brick sculpture, flanked by large cantilevered metal terraces. These terraces sparkle in the sun and add to the expressive effect, to the volumes changing according to the angles and the moments of the day of the building.

House 6/Green Houses' main volume is made of folded stainless-steel panels. The outer terraces and glazed loggias, like small greenhouses, spread around the volume are surrounded by red lacquered bricks.

House 7/BIG Common Bites is composed of white bricks, an echo to the House 1 / BIG Bites. The generous common areas, distributed throughout the building, are made from green metal panels. 

House 8/Lofts are designed as tall and narrow building in red brick. Black inserts mark the circulation spaces and the separations between the different lofts.

House 9/In The Garden: This "house" forms an outgrowth in the heart of islet, which breaks with the relative alignment of the buildings and comes to arrange an opening from the streets. This vast concrete slab forms several green terraces, thought like large spaces overlooking the inner courtyard. The main volume is composed of green metal panels, which echo this function of "garden" interior.

The project is underway and expected to be completed in 2022.

Manuelle Gautrand is one of the leading women architects in professional practice. She received the 2017 European Prize for Architecture, Europe’s Highest Award for Architecture by The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studiesand The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. 

Gautrand is the first woman and first French architect receiving this prestigious award in 2017. She runs her office in Paris and her firm mainly designs buildings in various typologies including cultural facilities (theaters, museums, and cultural centers), office buildings, housing, commercial and leisure facilities.

Project facts

Project: "Hyde Park" Residence

City: Amsterdam

Client: Snippe Projecten B.V. and IC B.V.

Local architect: INBO (Amsterdam)

Surface: 39.000 m²

Dates studies in progress - Expect delivery: 2022

Program: 400 housing block + 250 parking lots

Green Design Gold LEED Certification

Images © Romain Ghomari

All drawings © Manuelle Gautrand Architecture

> via Manuelle Gautrand Architecture