Block 3 in Almere Buiten by ZZDP Architecten

Article source: ZZDP Architecten

The undefined center of Almere Buiten on either side of the railways is in the process of undergoing a major make over. The new Masterplan envisions building blocks with a mix of apartments, retail (large and small scale) as well as public functions. In order to create an attractive environment for apartments situated above large scale retail developments, the urban planner launched the theme “Extravert”, extra green.

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

• Architects: ZZDP Architecten
• Project: Block 3
• Location: Almere Buiten
  
• Photography: Michel Kievits
• Program: 80 apartments, approx. 5.000 sq.m. retail, parking (approx 200 places) level -1 and +1
• Gross floor area: 23.300 sq.m.
• Completion: October 2010
• Architect: Joris Deur, Adam Smit
• Team: Lysann Theiler, Jeroen Nieuwenhuizen, Ramon Gianotten

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

In the first block that has been realized north of the railways, this theme has been translated into a large scale green landscape atop the two-storey retail base, between two volumes with apartments. The landscape design consists of freely shaped green islands contrasting with a linear pattern of gravel and paving.

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

At the side of the main entrance to the supermarket the garden slopes downwards as to allow passers-by a view on this private park. At two instances the free forms of the garden project outward and result in organically shaped balconies contrasting with the orthogonal order of the building. The landscape has been designed by landscape architect SantenCo.

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

Due to its relative height and white colour the development stands out. The geometry of the architecture has been strengthened by the use of an orthogonal grid of white Croatian limestone. Full height windows and coloured spandrels as well the glazed loggia’s fill in the grid. To specific areas of the stone cladding a sculptural texture has been applied, an unusual display of craftsmanship.

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

The size of the apartments varies between 55 sq.m. and 118 sq.m. arranged per six (tower) or four (low rise) per core. In the plinth care has been taken to provide all apartments with an entrance that has been distinguished from the adjacent retail. At west facade, the rear of the building, where the servicing of the supermarket takes place a large scale two-storey green wall softens this otherwise closed facade. At the east facade (where the gardens tips downwards) escalators connect the main entrance of the supermarket with the parking garage.

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

Image Courtesy © Michel Kievits

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Image Courtesy ZZDP Architecten

Tags: Almere Buiten

Categories: Apartments, Parking

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