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De Archtekten Cie '07 - Cafe OPEN

Practice

De Archtekten Cie


BUILDING

Cafe OPEN


City

Amsterdam


Country

Netherlands


Commissioned

2006


Construction

2006


Completion

2007


Duration

1


YY

07


CLIENT

Gerry Mekes, Floriaan Hackmann, Tristan Brinckman


CONSULTANTS

IMd Ingenieursbureau (Structural engineer), Heddes Vastgoed (Contractor), SEVV-Studio Edward van Vliet, Amsterdam (Interior designer)


Storey

1


STATUS

Completed


PROGRAM

Hospitality + Leisure


ARCHITECT'S

The railway bridge on the Westerdokseiland (Western Dock Island) in Amsterdam is one of the last surviving pivot bridges in the Netherlands. Pivot Bridge 19 S was constructed in 1922 as a modernized railway connection between the Westelijk Stationseiland (Western Station Island) and the Westerdokseiland, which was at that time being transformed into a large shunting-yard for the railways. The bridge, which had long fallen into disuse, was still a striking object, historically as well as architecturally. The City of Amsterdam was therefore keen to preserve this showpiece on the river IJ and decided to give the monumental bridge a public function. Because of the location and the panoramic views it was decided to use it as a café-restaurant. The City Council organized a design competition in 2005 which was won by de Architekten Cie. OPEN café-restaurant is a pure, transparent, glass volume that fits precisely onto the existing bridge. It is composed of a floor, a roof and a glazed façade that is formed entirely of pivotal windows, all of which can be opened. The pure volume is 'honest' and 'direct' in its detailing. The pivotal windows add a subtle refinement to the principle of the puristic, modernistic box and introduce the quality of elegant, undulating movement. These window frames were specially designed in collaboration with the company Eurodeur.
(© de Architekten Cie)

COLLECTION

KAW

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