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A design proposal put forward by the Bjarke Ingels Group and local Dutch firm, BARCODE Architects, for a project known as Sluishuis, which in English translates to "Sluice House" or "Lock House," will see the construction of a floating villa built out onto the IJ waterfront in central Amsterdam. The mixed-use community is set to include 380 zero-energy residential units with room left over for 30 houseboats.
A collaboration between developers Vorm and Besix, Sluishuis will be comprised of 46,000 square metres of mixed-use space, with the bulk going to residential purposes. The remaining space, including a 4,000-square-metre commercial space, will leave room for a fitness centre, restaurant, museum, and sailing school.
Designed to be eco friendly, Sluishuis' residential component will be zero energy, and plans to participate in a water-quality program of which the houseboat portion will be a part. In fact, the relationship with the water will be a defining feature of Sluishuis, with the passage of boats in and out of the development to be facilitated by its design.
Citing a period of his early career which was spent in Holland, lead architect Bjarke Ingels is proud to be a part of this project, a life on the water something he truly believes in. Sluishuis will deliver this life in spades, as its dualistic design allows the structure to offer a contained floating village on the IJ Lake on the one hand, while on the other, the stepped down openness of the development when approached from the shoreline will make it a part of the city.
Simultaneously open and self contained, Sluishuis will be connected to the mainland via a pedestrian bridge and will have vehicular access, with space underground for no less than 240 cars. While underground parking and a zero-energy mandate may at first appear antithetical, the inclusion of the aforementioned restaurant, museum, and sailing school, likely justify the high volume of spaces.
Once complete, Sluishuis will be a welcome addition to the Amsterdam waterfront, the development's bold design to continue the city's longtime connection to the water.
SkyriseCities will return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
