Nieuw West 2.0

The Algemeen Uitbreidingsplan (AUP) – General Expansion Plan – by Van Eesteren for Nieuw-West, built in 1934, offers space, low-density, infrastructure and modern living. These qualities are held up high by the strict urban rules on living, working, recreation, infrastructure, open spaces and green from the smallest to the highest scale of the AUP. Due to the aim of the city of Amsterdam to build 50.000 dwellings until 2050, Nieuw-West is one of the areas targeted for densification and renewal of the existing housing. The partly monument-listed neighborhoods along the Burgemeester Roellstraat will be renewed and densified. The Dichtersbuurt is a neighborhood with no monumental value, allowing for a more free interpretation for the AUP.

The new urban plan respects the setup of the AUP but is permeable from the parkside and culminates with two building volumes that define the city-street Slotermeerlaan. Along the Burgemeester Roellstraat a 200 meter long volume will arise that defines and accompanies this important straight road, pivotal to providing the main access to the area. Nieuw-West has a well-thought urban setup which provides opportunities for both small and large scale volumes, similar to the urban language of the slabs along the Sloterplas. A 200m long volume along the Burgemeester Roellstraat fits into the scale of the AUP, and specifically along this street which is part of the main infrastructure of the AUP. The long volume is structured and shaped into 4 smaller volumes created by breaking points that follow the urban ingredients in the surroundings such as: sight lines, a terrace facing south combined with outdoor circulation and entrances. On both ends of the volume a special function will be situated. Near the roundabout, commercial program in the volume introduces the shopping street of the Slotermeerlaan. On the other end of the volume, a neighborhood-oriented program will be introduced, such as a kindergarden.

Due to the diversity of future inhabitants, a diversity in dwelling typologies will be available through the building: small, medium, large and extra-large dwellings and spanning one or two floors. These different typologies are mirrored in the language of the facade, creating a diverse and tactile appearance and providing a variety of different access types. Whilst the volume as a whole fits into the urban character of Nieuw-West, the dwelling typologies fit to the needs of the new inhabitants.