Amstelvista

Amstelvista will be located opposite the Berlagebrug, one of Amsterdam’s most famous landmarks. Opened in 1932, the elegant bridge spans the waters of the River Amstel, which runs through the city, and provides a vital link between the Amsterdam-Zuid and Amsterdam-Oost districts.

Following the recent renovation of the bridge, construction will begin this summer on a new riverside ensemble of residential and office buildings that will further enhance the area. The smallest but most prominent of these is our new Amstelvista office for RJB. With its waterfront location and polished yet poetic contemporary design, it will play a key role in bringing the historic area into the 21st century and creating its future identity.

For this project, MVSA is working with SOM Architects (London) and DAM & Partners (Amsterdam), as well as the City of Amsterdam itself. Each practice is responsible for a different building: DAM & Partners is designing the residential building, the tallest block at the back of the site. SOM Architects is responsible for the longest volume in the ensemble, which will also be an office building. Our building has the smallest footprint, but occupies the most prominent position, with the longest side, the front façade, facing the Amstel.

The trio of buildings each has its own signature, but they are united by a restrained palette of colours (shades of grey) and materials (natural stone, aluminium and glass), as well as by the plinth that they share. The plinth is the result of a series of workshops with the architects and the city. Made of limestone, it varies in height to match the neighbouring buildings. In the space between the buildings on top of the plinth, there is a communal roof garden, landscaped by MADMA (Rotterdam), which will bring a Japanese feel to the riverside, complete with springtime cherry blossoms. The plinth itself will house public facilities that will also add life to the new complex.

In terms of office space, our building may be small, but our design punches well above its footprint. You could think of it as a boutique office, the office equivalent of a boutique hotel: small in capacity but big in style, a high quality one-off.

The custom-made curved windows ensure a unique look for Amstelvista. The grey aluminium detailing adds further dynamism to the façade and hides an impressive secret: the all-steel supporting structure is integrated into the façade so that it is not needed inside. The supports shift with each layer, in line with the staggered design of the façade. This feat of structural engineering allows for great interior quality and flexibility, as no interior columns are required. In the indoor spaces, natural stone will add to the elemental feeling of luxury created by the unbroken space and views. On the ground floor, a sweeping curved staircase, visible from outside, adds extra interest.