Borneo 18
Borneo-Sporenburg Amsterdam was the most compact new housing district in The Netherlands of the 90's. Adriaan Geuze of West 8 Landscape Architects has tried to develop the area into a kind of old fashioned neighbourhood, like ‘De Jordaan’ (in the west part of inner-city Amsterdam), and strictly supervised the design. Plot 18 is one of two designs by MVRDV for the development.
- Location
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Status
- Realised
- Year
- 1999
- Surface
- 200 m²
- Programmes
- Residential
- Themes
- Architecture, Housing
In Borneo-Sporenburg Amsterdam (the most compact new housing district in The Netherlands of the 1990's) two dwellings have been designed that aim for the greatest possible spaciousness and versatility within a limited envelope.
The Borneo Sporenburg area (east of Amsterdam City) is a former harbour area. The harbour moved to the west, in the direction of the sea. Adriaan Geuze of West 8 Landscape Architects tried to develop the Borneo Sporenburg area into a kind of old fashioned neighbourhood like 'De Jordaan' in the west part of the Amsterdam inner-city. The 60 terraced houses on Borneo refer of course to the Amsterdam Canal houses.
Related projects
Plot 18 is called a garden plot: 4.2 x 16 meter, with a 4.0 meter deep garden on the water front. In principle only three floors were possible within the 9.5 metre high envelope allocated: one high floor at street level and two lower floors above it.
Despite this, the plan achieves four floors while at the same time the ceiling height over much of the building is higher than normal. By sliding out one of the four floors at the rear facing the water, a special spacious long cross-section is created with two closed elements: a garage come storage space on the street and protruding bathroom and bedroom block on the second floor. The remaining irregular space houses the kitchen-diner, sitting room and study, all spatially connected to one another.
A series of rooms have been created differing in height and degree of privacy. Each are connected with the exterior in their own individual way, ranging from a two-storey veranda facing the water, to a balcony with French windows to the living room, a glass bay window to the bedroom and a roof garden to the studio in the attic.
VISIT
As this is a private home it is not open to visits. Please respect the privacy of the inhabitants and refrain from disturbance. Both Borneo projects are published in the El Croquis monograph nr. 86, including plans and interior images. The area of Borneo Sporenburg is well worth a visit for its architectural diversity.
Gallery
Discover more Borneo 18
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Credits
- Architect
- Principal in charge