Lofts on the Oostelijke Handelskade in Amsterdam

On behalf of ‘De Principaal’, the architects ZJA made a design for spacious studio apartments, so-called lofts, on the Oostelijke Handelskade in Amsterdam.

The Oostelijke Handelskade is an excellent location for lofts of this kind, since it is close to the city center and provides a wonderful view at the same time. Also, the area is easily accessible, both by car and by public transportation.

We designed a kind of warehouse, which is connected to five towers via bridges. The rooms inside these towers have a flexible lay-out, and are large enough to make a combination of working and living possible.
Between the warehouse and the towers there is a public space, featuring several common functions, such as a café, a laundry service, a reproduction firm, and a business center with a conference room. These facilities will be conducive for working at home, while at the same time they may initiate ‘community life’. On the roof of the warehouse we have designed a common room with the atmosphere of an ocean liner.

Materials such as brick, glass, steel and wood will give the warehouse and the silo towers an industrial look. The facade of the warehouses is highly transparent. A parking garage is situated below the project.