Symposium ‘The New Hybrid Urban Block’ — Close
Almost imperceptibly, a new urban block has emerged in the Netherlands: the combination of a closed building block with residential towers. MORE Architecture is organizing a symposium about this new urban block in collaboration with Architectenweb, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Pakhuis de Zwijger. We explore and discuss this new typology with case studies from Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam and Utrecht. What are the design solutions applied in these blocks? What are the results? And how are these blocks shaping our future cities? Speakers include Indira van ’t Klooster (Arcam), Daan Roggeveen (MORE), Frank Suurenbroek (HvA) ; Kees Kaan (KAAN Architecten), Dirk Peters (Barcode Architects), Marten de Jong (ArchitectenCie) In many Dutch cities, inner-city areas are being densified. Old ports are being drawn into the city, office districts are being transformed into residential areas, and business parks are to be converted as well. And almost unnoticed, a new urban block has sprung up in those spots over the past decade. This block consists of an ‘urban layer’ with a (partly) commercial program. On this stand sturdy residential towers. The characteristics of this new block are new for the Dutch situation. First, the density of the block is significant with an FSI of 4 to 7. About 75% of the block consists of (mixed) residential programme. The rest are facilities that should ensure liveliness in the current work areas. The plinth of the block consists of a combination of entrances to the towers, commercial functions, sports and in some cases a nursery. Parking facilities are placed at the heart of the building. This increases the footprint of the building – and offers the opportunity to actively program the inner area. The fact that a new urban block is emerging is fascinating. However, it also raises the question of how this block will work exactly – also at eye level. Time for assessment and reflection. What are the design solutions applied in this block? What are the results? And if we look ahead: how will these blocks gradually form the street scapes and the city of the future? We invite architects, urban planners, developers and consultants to discuss these issues wholeheartedly and share questions (and answers!) with each other.
Almost imperceptibly, a new urban block has emerged in the Netherlands: the combination of a closed building block with residential towers. MORE Architecture is organizing a symposium about this new urban block in collaboration with Architectenweb, the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Pakhuis de Zwijger. We explore and discuss this new typology with case studies from Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam and Utrecht. What are the design solutions applied in these blocks? What are the results? And how are these blocks shaping our future cities? Speakers include Indira van ’t Klooster (Arcam), Daan Roggeveen (MORE), Frank Suurenbroek (HvA) ; Kees Kaan (KAAN Architecten), Dirk Peters (Barcode Architects), Marten de Jong (ArchitectenCie) In many Dutch cities, inner-city areas are being densified. Old ports are being drawn into the city, office districts are being transformed into residential areas, and business parks are to be converted as well. And almost unnoticed, a new urban block has sprung up in those spots over the past decade. This block consists of an ‘urban layer’ with a (partly) commercial program. On this stand sturdy residential towers. The characteristics of this new block are new for the Dutch situation. First, the density of the block is significant with an FSI of 4 to 7. About 75% of the block consists of (mixed) residential programme. The rest are facilities that should ensure liveliness in the current work areas. The plinth of the block consists of a combination of entrances to the towers, commercial functions, sports and in some cases a nursery. Parking facilities are placed at the heart of the building. This increases the footprint of the building – and offers the opportunity to actively program the inner area. The fact that a new urban block is emerging is fascinating. However, it also raises the question of how this block will work exactly – also at eye level. Time for assessment and reflection. What are the design solutions applied in this block? What are the results? And if we look ahead: how will these blocks gradually form the street scapes and the city of the future? We invite architects, urban planners, developers and consultants to discuss these issues wholeheartedly and share questions (and answers!) with each other.
