© Peter Tijhuis
- Architects: Space Encounters
- Location: Groenmarktkade 5, 1016 TA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Lead Architects: Joost Baks, Gijs Baks, Remi Versteeg, Stijn de Weerd
- Interior Architect: Space Encounters
- Team: Joost Baks, Gijs Baks, Remi Versteeg, Stijn de Weerd, Jordy Vos
- Area: 495.0 m2
- Project Year: 2017
- Photographs: Peter Tijhuis
- Structural Engineer: Van Rossum Raadgevende Ingenieurs BV
- Climate Design: Huisman en van Muijen Installatieadviseurs
- Contractor: Barten Groep
- Interior Fit Out: Thomas Meubels
- Projectmanagement: New Cheese Development
© Peter Tijhuis
Text description provided by the architects. Courtyards of Amsterdam city blocks tend to be quite fascinating. While the heritage commission tightly monitors the facades facing the canals, they allow a lot more freedom on the rear side.
Plan
The resulting cacophony of sheds, annexes, balconies and installation pipes seem to follow an unknown logic, and the fact that most courtyards are not publicly accessable makes them even more mysterious.
© Peter Tijhuis
True to its context, the GMK building’s silhouette is elementary, and its material logically. Deep windows do not give its function away, and also provide two-way privacy and a bit of conundrum.
© Peter Tijhuis
On ground level there is a more direct connection with the surroundings, caused by the windows directly overlooking the shared driveway, which is paved with the same brick. The only attires are the random grass patches that will grow here.
© Peter Tijhuis
Inside, advertising and branding company First Day of Spring has taken up residence. All serving functions have been hidden way behind a masonite wall. In the space, movable walls clad with mirrors and LED walls allow them to flexibly use the rest of their office – or turn it into a night club if the need arises.
© Peter Tijhuis
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