Het Kasteel

In our ever-expanding cities, land is becoming scarce. Cities have reached their limits; the need to densify means the last remaining vacant spaces now being occupied. Often, these are ‘impossible’ locations, for example on contaminated sites or along railways or highways with complex circumstances concerning noise, air quality and/or safety issues. But it’s precisely these complexities that potentially give rise to surprising and innovative architecture.

The apartment building Het Kasteel (meaning the castle) occupies such a site beside a rail yard in Amsterdam east; this necessitated adequate soundproofing for the residences. The solution to this basic requirement resulted in a striking facade that acts as a sound buffer and distinguishes the building as a landmark at the entrance of the Science Park.

A skin of glass panels envelops the entire complex, each panel angled differently and bouncing light in a different direction. This results in a stunning faceted effect on the facade that recalls crystal shards. In contrast when the interior lights are switched on by night, a warm inner realm glows. A shared courtyard connects to the surrounding public spaces and contains the apartment entrances. Warm timber clads the inner facades throughout and outer facades of the lower courtyard-facing apartments, creating a striking contrast with the gleaming glass exterior.