Central Library Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Central Library Amsterdam or in Dutch Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam Centrale Bibliotheek was completed in 2007. The building was designed by Jo Coenen, the former state architect of the Netherlands. Located just across a pedestrian bridge from Renzo’s Nemo Science Centre.

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This is the largest public library in Europe. It is a home for over 1.7M books (circulation 5M), has 10 floors, a floor surface of 28,500 m², 1200 seats, of which 600 with Internet-connected computers, staff of 200, an auditorium, an exhibition room, 2 museums, 2000 parking spaces for bicycles and a restaurant with a south-facing terrace.

The building is divided in three vertical sections: the public bottom with attractive children’s library, space for periodicals and computer users,  the centre, houses the books and creates much calmer, silent, carpeted, low ceiling spaces. The top where the theatre and the restaurant are located, is the place where people can relax and meet others. The restaurant terrace provides great views to the city.

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The same materials used for the exterior are used for the interior.

Overall impression was very positive: accessible, bright, inviting, monumental, plenty of different zones for everyone’s preference. I was visiting this building at night. The library works until 10 pm. and is free to enter for anyone, therefore I believe that is just as it should be: public building serving the public and it’s needs. This building is attractive enough to be a part of design oriented/book lover tourist’s itinerary. Or at least can be visited as a viewing spot.

Ball Gown Building, The Hague, Holland

The Baljurk (Ball-gown building) designed by architect: Eric Vreedenburgh – Archipelontwerpers.

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Built in 2005 at Kettingstaat / Achterom streets, this is quite well published building, easy to spot, easy to remember.  Apparently more interesting than just shiny front façade cover – contains apartment blocks with roof terraces. And as I think about it-if they ever get bored, they can always change the building’s “evening dress” to anything else they can come up with.

Spui tramstop Den Haag, The Netherlands

One of the few buildings that is well designed and evidently much work and thoughts put into it – every corner of it is photo-worthy.
This project Haagse tramtunnel comprises of 28000 m2 in several levels underground, 1250 m long tunnel, 500 parking spots, two tram stops of which I visited photographed and present one: station Spui. Designed by OMA – Rem Koolhaas, the design was later taken by architect Rob Hilz, construction started in 1996, finished in 2004.

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There were some troubles on the way to implementation: the tunnels got flooded, the construction halted, budget exploded. But these problems were soon forgotten after the project won several prizes. It seems that good architecture can save the day.

TU Delft Faculty of Architecture

I am starting off with a place what made me burst into tears after visiting – I missed out a lot by not studying here. That‘s an impression by just walking around and pretending to be a student.

TU Delft Faculty of Architecture :

Modelling area:

Plenty of model making machines (do not even have a clue what they are). As we discussed together with fellow architects: it is rather strange how much importance is put on modelling in architecture schools around the world. And the people who actually do get a chance to make models in real world are ether students/interns/part timers or specialised firms (non architects). Personally having worked in small offices only, I made a simple model once!

So called the Why Factory:

Lecture hall and auditorium designed by architects MVRDV and designer Richard Hutten.

Interesting counter made out of books.