Mecanoo has revealed plans for a future-oriented mixed-use development that aspires to become significant for the whole city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

The masterplan, encompassing a total of 80,000-square-metre flexible framework, includes a full range of facilities, starting from offices and co-working spaces, housing, a 800-square-metre design museum, creative workplaces - makerspaces, workshops, commercial spaces to common amenities that ensure a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable community.

Located between highway and metro line, the project responds to site constraints concerning noise pollution and logistics. 

Made of a stacked volumes with setbacks, the scheme responds to the surroundings by shaping the public space between the buildings as pocket parks and plazas. 

The building setbacks extend the public realm spatially to create intimate and iconic public roof destinations. The scheme is designed in line with nature inclusivity, sustainability, and circularity targets. 

Developed by Amsterdam-based real estate developer Connecting Concepts BV, the project integrates adaptability to ensure long-term resiliency, Amstel Design District facilitates new demands from work environments with a dynamic variety of business and collaboration spaces.

The scheme, aiming part of the city, consists of a creative hub that is surrounded by the lively urban hustle and bustle, with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. 

"The dynamics and entrepreneurship nearby contribute to an inspiring and creative atmosphere for the working environment," said Mecanoo. 

"Inside and outside, work and private life flow into one another and continuously provide liveliness."

"An increasing part of the lives of young urban dwellers takes place outside the home. The city becomes the living room, and the residence is the departure point and the place to relax." 

In creating this, Mecanoo has looked at the development as a whole and aimed to integrate and enhance the in-between spaces for informal meetings and chance encounters.

"We aim to create a healthy flow between work and life, individual and collective spaces for the residents," the firm added. 

"This results in a new district that embraces work-life effectiveness for the community with shared spaces for physical fitness, family time or hobbies."

The scheme also enhances green connections in the masterplan. The studio creates "a green artery" throughout the district with extensive planted areas and pocket parks. They form atmospheric and comfortable places where people can relax or get inspired throughout the week.

According to Mecanoo, "it is a place where residents can go for a stroll, children can play in peace and young entrepreneurs and office staff have lunch on the terraces of the food hall or restaurant." 

The working environments feature “Green retreats”, like patios and planted roofs that create a direct connection to nature. Green roofs provide water retention and water buffering while enhancing biodiversity.

Mecanoo works with Amsterdam-based KettingHuls on the project. The project started in 2021 and the plans are currently in the design stage.

All images courtesy of Mecanoo.

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