TEST SITES
Featuring Lucht Single in Rotterdam, the Ceuvel and H.LAB in Amsterdam .NL Text by Brendan Cormier
The process is often more interesting than results; at the very least it allows a better insight into the attributes and dynamics of a project. Inspired by the International Architecture Biennale of Rotterdam’s 2012 theme, Making City, this project acts as a visual exploration of new city-making practices in The Netherlands.
After the economic crisis in the late 2000s and the consequent standstill of the real estate market, citizens sought new ways to develop their cities and neighbourhoods. Implemented through new opportunities offered by social media resulted in a new tendency to ‘build less and connect more’.
Capturing these case studies was an act of bringing us ‘back to reality’, or better yet, a different aesthetic that contrasts with the 'green washed' 3D renderings in commercial landscape practice.
In this sense, these models convey a new dimension of participation and strategies that underline how designed objects and materials can shift across our cities, defining new politics.
From the classic photographs of muddy fields: colourful 'do-it-your-self' architecture, and crowd-funded projects arise.
THE CEUVEL
2014 Amsterdam .NL
Project by Space&Matter -Metabolic
Photography © Denis Guzzo
De Ceuvel is an award-winning, sustainable planned workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard on the Johan van Hasselt kanaal off the river IJ in Amsterdam North. In 2012, the land was secured for a 10-year lease from the Municipality of Amsterdam after a group of architects won a tender to turn the site into a regenerative urban oasis.
LUCHTSINGLE
2014 Rotterdam .NL
Design by ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles]
Decades after their separation, the 400-meter-long Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge has reconnected three districts in the heart of Rotterdam. The Luchtsingel is the world’s first piece of public infrastructure to be accomplished through crowdfunding.
H.LAB
20134 Amsterdam .NL
Intervention by Superuse & Iris Schutte
Skin design by Delva Landscape
A new community of artists and musicians emerged in one of the buildings in Amsterdam South-East. Two homes have been merged into one spacious studio home to increase the diversity of the space on offer in the building.
Capturing the renovation process to the final results, this series documented a remarkable project by ZUS for a new chapter of Rotterdam's nightlife.