07-02-2015

Dutch Design Daily

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J. van Stigt Architects www.burovanstigt.nl

De Hallen Amsterdam

By 07-02-2015

In Amsterdam West, just behind the Klinkerstraat, the former GVB tram depot has been renovated into De Hallen Amsterdam.

It’s a unique concept consisting of ten linked halls, from 250 to over 325 feet in length, with a surface of about 161 500 square feet. When architect Van Stigt saw the tram depot, he immediately saw De Hallen (the Halls). Robust and industrial, historic and striking, with beautiful details. With the neighbourhood as a sounding board, a centre for media, culture, fashion and crafts was developed. Meanwhile, the hotel, library, film theatre, bars and restaurants, a day care centre, the parking garage and the bicycle parking are now open to the public. Dynamic and non-dynamic companies have been brought together on the basis of shared responsibility. Van Stigt: ‘It’s a vital coalition.’

In dividing the spaces, the original state of the national heritage site has been preserved as much as possible. Previously, Van Stigt has renovated other historic buildings in Amsterdam, such as Pakhuis de Zwijger and the Olympic stadium. He has been nominated for the 2014 Amsterdammer of the year award.