Public works yard Zuideramstel

The new public works yard lies like an enormous bungalow among the trees in Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark. The pristine aura of the white brick façade appears to be at odds with the building’s function. The yard – for which its predecessor, built in 1992 and one of Claus and Kaan’s first projects, was demolished to make way for it –The yard, to make way for which its predecessor, built in 1992 and one of Claus en Kaan’s first projects, was demolished, houses the facilities of the municipal services in the fields of parks and gardens, neighbourhood management, civil engineering and street cleansing. It is the operating base for one hundred and twenty employees and eighty vehicles.

Wooden gateways on the east and west sides give access to an inner courtyard in which linked blocks of workshops, storage facilities and garages, offices, a canteen and a prayer room are situated. The height and depth of the blocks varyies according to their function.
A block’s specific function can be discerned from the outside when,; for example, where a stack of girders, a street- cleansing vehicle or playground equipment is visible through a window.

The windows have been meticulously positioned. Some of the windows are designed first and foremost to interrupt the façade, while others are designed to emphasize corners. Some windows are set back, others are flush with the brickwork. Some provide a wide view, while others direct the eye to a specific activity. Particularly noteworthy are the windows that are positioned very low in the Japanese manner, which appear to make the heavy volume float. (ARCAM/MB)