The architects behind this new apartment complex in Amsterdam really went above and beyond.
The Sluishuis residential building juts out over the IJ waterfront on the outskirts of the city, giving the illusion of ‘floating’ on water – and it was designed to resemble the bow of a ship from some angles.
Small boats can even pass under a triangular opening at the base of the building – which brings light and water views into the interior apartments – and moor in an inner harbor.
The residential building Sluishuis pictured juts out over the IJ waterfront on the outskirts of Amsterdam and gives the impression of ‘floating’ on water.
The new apartment complex has been designed to look like the “bow of a ship”.
A promenade meanders around the building and continues into the water, forming an ‘island archipelago’ with space for up to 30 houseboats to moor, a sailing school and ‘floating’ gardens.
The 49,000-square-foot complex, which took four years to complete, aims to “fully embody the idea of living on the water.”
A total of 442 zero-energy houses are available for purchase and rent within the complex. Some units have glass balconies over the water, while others have spacious patio areas.
The state-of-the-art building was designed by the renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels in collaboration with Barcode Architects from Rotterdam
Small boats can pass under a triangular opening at the base of the building and moor in an inner harbour
The opening at the base of the building brings light and views of the water into the interior apartments
Some units have glass balconies over the water, while others have spacious patio areas
The rental part of the building ranges from studio to three-bed apartments with a monthly fee starting at €910 (£767), excluding service costs.
The public can climb a passageway to the top of the building, where there is an observation deck overlooking the waterfront.
To allow residents to fully enjoy urban waterfront living, the complex is adjacent to a water park and inner harbor lined with bars, restaurants and shops.
And the residents can use the building with a clear conscience, because it has a solid eco-ID. It generates more energy than it consumes, thanks in part to high-performance insulation techniques and triple glazing. Power is generated by 2,200 square meter (23,680 square foot) solar panels installed on a “floating island” adjacent to the project.
The state-of-the-art building with a combination of aluminium, glass and wood was designed by the renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels in collaboration with Barcode Architects from Rotterdam.
Architect Ingels commented on the design: “Having spent my formative years as an architect in Holland in the late 20th century, it feels like a homecoming to now contribute to the architecture of the city I have loved and admired for so long . Our Sluishhuis is designed as a city block of downtown Amsterdam floating in the IJ Lake, complete with all aspects of city life.
The public can climb a passageway to the top of the building, where there is an observation deck overlooking the waterfront
The new living space was designed with a combination of aluminium, glass and wood
A promenade meanders around the building and continues into the water, forming an ‘island archipelago’ with space for up to 30 houseboats to moor, a sailing school and ‘floating’ gardens. Above you can see the complex from a bird’s eye view
“Towards the city, the courtyard building kneels down and invites visitors to climb onto its roof and enjoy the panoramic view of the new quarters on the IJ.
“Towards the water, the building rises out of the river and opens a huge gate through which ships can enter and dock in the port/yard. A building in the port, with a port in the building.’
Meanwhile, Andreas Klok Pedersen, another architect working on the project, said: “Amsterdam’s world-renowned urban environment was created by the merging of water and city. The new Sluishhuis is born from the same DNA, combining water and edge block and expanding the possibilities for urban living around the IJ.”
The rental part of the building ranges from studios to triples with a monthly fee starting at €910 (£767), excluding service costs
A peek inside one of the entrances to the building, complete with contemporary art adorning the wall
