The Eastern Entrance

Studio: To Be Defined

Assignment: Argumentation is one of the most important aspects of our profession. That is why ‘To be defined’ focuses on making a strong case, creating a solid story, and presenting a convincing proposal. Argumentation comes in many ways: analysis, design, demonstration, pleading, explaining, stating the obvious, et cetera. ‘To be defined is not a project with a set goal or outcome, it is a process that (through analysis and ultimate understanding of the site) will lead every student to its self-defined goal. To make a strong case, you need to know more about the area than the others do. To get to know the area by heart, we need to go further than conventional analysis methods. Your concept will lead you to your analysis methods, or the other way around. In the end, this will be presented with whatever product tells your story best, to be defined.

Problem statement

High intensity bike lane

Shared spcace

Traffic lights

Current situation

From a quiet dike to an urban hotspot. Oosterdokseiland has grown strongly in recent years and offers a variety of different functions, including living, working, and leisure entertainment. This has logically also led to an increasing number of movements to and from the site. Where pedestrians had a connection with the central station in the middle of the last century, pedestrians now have to work their way through all kinds of different traffic lanes to reach Oosterdok. Unfortunately, due to the reinforcement and expansion of the railway bridge, the pedestrian connection could not remain. This has led to a very good position and accessibility for Amsterdam as a whole, but this has left less space for residents and visitors who reach the place on foot. This plan shows a possible route to and from the central station and the programming of the tunnel that makes the place unique and lively.

Masterplan

Design principles

Functions

The area consists of a multitude of functions and also a number of characteristic historic buildings that together determine the identity of the place. Moreover, strengthening the current public functions is herewith essential. Programming the already excisting (now hidden) tunnel could make this place unique and lively.

Green

People who work adjacent to this area use this site as a backyard. Creating a green environment not only offers opportunities for current users. It also stimulates the development, quality of life and increases the flexibility to shift towards other functions such as housing for which a high-quality public space is essential

Orientation

The link between the central station and Oosterdok creates a new junction for pedestrians from where the historic center and the North of Amsterdam can be captured at a glance. Except for the entrances, the place itself cannot be seen from a long distance which is why those entrances should be programmed well.

Sightlines

Besides the sight lines towards the historic center and the north of Amsterdam, the location offers even more for potential sight lines within the plot. By using this as the strength of the place, this plan can be integrated into the environment.

20221214_Presentation P1b.pdf

This project is a fictitious project based on current trends. No external parties were involved in this project

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