IJ RIVER BANKS A long time the IJ-river has been the back side of Central Station and the edge of the city centre. A series of new plans for living, working, leisure and culture but also governmental functions on water adjacent areas on both sides bring back the IJ into the focus. The new Eye Filmmuseum with its smooth but sharp edged shape is one of the most prominent projects and since its opening a major public attractor. It is located directly opposite central station on the site of the former Shell headquarters. The former Shell office tower, an urban landmark, will be transformed into the epic centre of the Dutch music and dance industry. As a third part "Overhoeks" a new, dense and luxury residential quarter offers views over the IJ and the city.

The former NDSM shipyard hosts cultural professionals and creatives in impressive building structures such as an old crane track or the " Kunststad" - ateliers in a former ship construction hall. Opposite, on the south side of IJ river, the Westerdok can be seen as density lab for architects and planners, trying to cope with the developer's demand to realise as much housing and commercial facilities as possible. The IJdock, an artificial island with the court of justice and the water police, a hotel, apartments and offices adds even more building volume to the area. Finally the historic central station now orientates to both sides. An extra arch facing the IJ-river covers a new public transport hub connecting to the ferry services with Amsterdam North.


Topics: transformation, conversion, harbour areas, waterfronts, building on the water, mix of functions, high density, working and living, sustainability, cradle to cradle.

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Architecture by Max van Aerschot, de Architekten Cie, de Architectengroep, Bakers architecten, Baneke van der Hoeven, Benthem Crouwel, Claus en Kaan, Bosch Architects, J.S.A. Amsterdam, Jo Coenen, Delugan Meissl, DKV, Dynamo Architecten,Tony Fretton architects, Steven Gerritsen, Geurst en Schulze, Heren 5, Ontwerpgroep Trude Hooykaas, Korth Tielens architecten, Bjarne Mastenbroek, Meyer van Schooten, MOPET architecten, MVRDV, A. Siza, Bureau SLA, Architectenbureau Aart Zaaijer, Zeinstra van Gelderen and others