Pixel in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by MVRDV

Article source: MVRDV 

Pixel is a dynamic 76,000m2 residential development with retail, office, makers and community spaces, offering 480 apartments of various sizes and features. The project is part of a large-scale district level development by RNL design called Makers District, being the precedent for advanced community-based development, positioning itself as the new heart of Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE.

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

• Architects: MVRDV
• Project: Pixel
• Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Photography: Vero Visuals
• Client: OVG Real Estate, The Netherlands
• Design Team: Winy Maas with Jeroen Zuidgeest, Gijs Rikken, Gideon Maasland, Guido Boeters, Wietse Elswijk, Saimon Gomez Idiakez, Rik Lambers, Javier Lopez-Menchero, Sanne van Manen, Stephanie McNamara, Thijs van Oostrum, Frank Smit, Boudewijn Thomas, Maria Vasiloglou and Laurens Veth
• Investor: RJB Group of Companies
• Contractor: G&S Bouw B.V. and Boele & Van Eesteren B.V.
• Landscape Design: DeltaVorm Groep & Piet Oudolf, Utrecht, The Netherlands
• Engineering: Inbo, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

• Cost Calculator: BBN adviseurs, Houten, The Netherlands
• Structural Engineer: Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Installations: Deerns, The Hague, The Netherlands
• Building Physics: DGMR, The Hague, The Netherlands
• Competition: Winy Maas with Jeroen Zuidgeest, Anton Wubben, Luca Moscelli, Sanne van Manen, Elien Deceuninck, Marco Gazzola, Jack Penford Baker, Brygida Zawadzka, Francis Liesting, Annette Lam and Hannah Knudsen
• Parametric Façade Design: ARUP, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Graphic Design: PlusOne, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Model: made by mistake, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

As such, Pixel represents a new way of approaching neighbourhoods, communities, the way of living, the way of working. Based on a research of possible residential models, we selected together with the client the “mini-tower” configuration, which resulted in spreading 7 mid-rise, relatively slim towers around the plot, influenced by the local conditions (sun and wind) and providing the most view around for most apartments. The 7 buildings embrace a fully pedestrianised, activated plaza, which is accessible from all directions around the plot (as it is the heart of the neighbourhood), while maintaining a volumetric direction to bring a larger flow of people from the adjacent beach, marina and public event place “The Artery” designed by Danish firm, Bjarke Ingels Group: BIG towards the city.

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

Pixel is beyond a traditional residential project with amenities and service that includes retail, co-working, makers, community spaces, from the smallest unit of 50 sqm available for rent for start-up businesses. The breakdown of the volume around the public plaza is engaging in this spirit. It forms individual, but flexible use units on the ground floor, first and second floor, and turns into shaded outdoor terraces interlocked with apartments on the upper floors. The typical “penthouse” approach is redefined as well: the Makers Village, honest to its spirit, offers studio apartments available for young generation on every level, and some of the more luxurious large apartments are located facing the lively central plaza on the third to fifth floors.

The seven towers along the plot perimeter form a solid composition, complete with sober facade design. Only after entering the project, reveals itself to visitors and residents.

Image Courtesy © Vero Visuals

In the material selection, we emphasise the natural and honest spirit of the project. We use pure concrete and ceramics on the facade. There is an intended difference between the finishing level of the concrete at the perimeter and the cascading facade: – the rough and patterned balancing the refined and smooth. The use of the ceramics in various shades, pattern or colour gives the opportunity to work together with artists, which will give the final touch to the project. Completion of Pixel is set for 2020.

Image Courtesy © MVRDV

Tags: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Categories: Housing Development, Mixed use, Office space, Offices, Parking, Residential, Retail

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