Projects -

La Grande Cour

La Grande Cour is part of Westerdokseiland, a new development comprising some 900 new dwellings plus shops, cafes and restaurants. The spatial masterplan for Westerdokseiland was drawn up by Peter Defesche (OD205), who divided the island into four blocks with metropolitan-style development on the northern side and smaller-scale development on the side facing the city. The masterplan for one of these four blocks, La Grande Cour, was entrusted to Meyer en Van Schooten. La Grande Cour comprises 250 dwellings, 2500 m² of street-level commercial space and an underground car park.
The dwellings are organized around three courtyards. Large openings ensure that most dwellings have views through the courtyards, thereby making it possible to deliver pleasant dwellings despite the high density (300 dwellings per hectare). For the same reason, the tall buildings in the spatial masterplan were designed as ‘periscopes’ that cantilever above the perimeter buildings to focus on the panoramic views. There is a great variety of dwelling types in several categories, from subsidized rental to upmarket owner-occupied dwellings.
The architecture of the block was designed by three different architectural practices, MVSA itself, Heren 5 and de Architekten Cie. Each plan area includes a courtyard and it is here that the individual architectural styles are most in evidence. External architectural unity was achieved through continuous consultation during the planning process. The architects also consulted on the internal layout and circulation, with the result that some external walkways and corridors continue through the three different wings.

previous

next

pause