Just outside the A10 ring road, the area around the Koningin Wilhelminaplein, known as Ring Zone West, is currently being transformed into a vibrant live-and-work neighborhood with ever closer connections to the historic centre of Amsterdam.
The master plan, by KCAP Architects & Planners, combines office space, new homes and all kinds of public facilities that will add fresh energy to the neighborhood. New building will increase the usable volume above ground level from 33,000 to 90,000 m2. Meanwhile parking will be confined to underground garages, creating space for a public square and abundant greenery, with everything linked by bridges and walkways.
Together, MVSA Architects and Heyligers design+projects have designed two residential towers that will form the generous ‘topping’ of the existing Berghaus Plaza, plus an office tower of 11 floors, which will stand on the east side of the original development. The challenge for the designers was to retain the keynotes of the original building, based on the functionalism of the 1960s, while giving it a fresh, contemporary look.
