De Voortuinen high-rise residential building,
design: Elephant
For 45 years, the 14-story office building served as the headquarters of two banks. After the Elephant studio converted it into a residential building, with spacious balconies planted with vegetation, its original function became virtually unnoticeable. After five years of work, the building has taken on a new role as a residential skyscraper with 120 trees and an innovative communication concept.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam
photo by Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
History of De Voortuinen
and changes in the structure of the complex
De Voortuinen, which translated means "front gardens," was originally part of a complex consisting of a tall tower and an adjacent, lower, five-story building, located on Haarlemmerweg in the western part of Amsterdam. The architectural design, by Arthur Staal, was for the administrative headquarters of the Rijkspostspaarbank. In later years, the building became the property of ING, which vacated the building in 2015.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam - the building before modernization (left) and after modernization (right)
Photo: Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
2020 transformation:
demolition and transformation of the skyscraper
In 2020, the lower part of the complex was demolished and the skyscraper underwent a comprehensive transformation, which was overseen by the Elephant architecture studio. One of the few elements reminiscent of the original structure is the division of the building into a set-back, high first floor and 12 upper floors.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam - the building has been divided into a set-back, high first floor and 12 upper floors
Photo: Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
The building's new form and functionality:
spacious balconies and apartments
The new form of the building differs from the original concept. Instead of smooth, uniform facades, the entire structure is surrounded by a balcony zone 3 meters deep. The glazed facades conceal 94 apartments ranging in size from 33 to 153 square meters, as well as two apartments of more than 300 square meters each. The lower part of the building is planned as a space for commercial activities.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam - cross-section of the building
© Elephant
urban forest at height:
120 trees at the heart of the skyscraper
Two distinctive features distinguish this building: four exterior staircases running along the longer elevations at full height, and 120 trees arranged on balconies. Each tree is planted in a pot that rests on four steel supports, set on the balcony below. This arrangement puts the soil level in the pots at the height of the balconies. Landscaping studio Moss selected eight species of trees, taking into account their resistance to wind and sunlight. The plants are irrigated using an automated irrigation system, and are maintained by a team of gardeners. It is estimated that the annual cost of maintaining each tree is about 30 euros.
The high-rise residential building De Voortuinen in Amsterdam
photo by Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
Stairs and elevators moved outside
There are four staircases in the building, which are the only vertical passageways, while the elevators have been placed outside. Each elevator serves two apartments per floor. Glazed elevator vestibules, like the apartments, offer panoramic views of the surroundings.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam
photo by Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
revolutionary transportation concept:
no central core
The existing traffic core, which previously served as a banking function, has been transformed into technical, sanitary and storage rooms for residents. According to Elephant studio's concept, the lack of a central core allows optimization of space, increasing the ratio of usable to total area. The architects indicate that this solution has become their standard in subsequent projects.
A traditional transformation would not have achieved the intended standard of high-quality apartments, so we decided to divide the central core into four parts and move the elevators to the building's façade. The staircases were placed outside the terraces, becoming an integral part of the architecture. We transformed the former concrete traffic core into spaces for bathrooms, storage and technical installations. This is how we came up with the concept of Coreless Circulation, which we are now also using in new residential buildings
- explain the architects.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam - a view of the building's white facade
Photo: Marcel van der Burg © Elephant
A new concept for residential space:
terraces and flexibility in arrangement
Residents use the elevator, sharing it with only one neighbor on the floor. After leaving the elevator, they find themselves in a corridor with a view of the park. The corridor leads directly to the apartments and adjacent private terraces. Each terrace is connected to all living areas, providing flexibility in space arrangement and use.
De Voortuinen residential skyscraper in Amsterdam
Visualization: Crispijn van Sas © Elephant
As part of the new circulation concept, Elephant studio proposed the introduction of three-meter deep terraces running along the entire building, as well as a new fully glazed facade. Both elements improved the quality of the living space. The terraces, enhanced with functional elements such as stairs, flower pots and balustrades, became a key architectural element. As a result, the glazed facade lost its dominant role, and its place was taken by a more flexible facade form.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Elephant studio.
