Can You See What Open Studio Sees? The Planet as a Limitless Storehouse of Resources

Open Fort 400 is an international architectural competition for the design of a new knowledge centre on the North-West banks of Amsterdam's river IJ. Open Fort 400 is organised by the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAi) and the City of Amsterdam. Below is Open Studio's competition entry.

NEW FORT - NEW CONTEXT

The discovery of the New World accelerated the perception of the planet as a vast limitless storehouse of resources and materials. Four centuries later as the limits of growth have become evident, a new strategic framework is being developed. The idea of endless exploration and territorial expansion has faded in favour of a search for sustainability. Military constructs designed for protection against outside enemies are evolving into strategies to address planetary degradation.

Project Information

Project Type: Competition Entry
Location: Amsterdam North NL
Architects: Open Studio Pty Ltd
Project Team: Open Studio Pty Ltd
Completion: 2009
Building Area: 27,000 m2

ORGANIC MARKET & GREENHOUSE - A PART OF THE CITY

Access to quality fresh food has declined for some socio-economic groups. Younger generations are losing the connection with natural products and their origins. In this new context, fresh food, its production, distribution and consumption will play a fundamental role for the redefinition of our society. The proposal's main idea is to revert this post-industrial site into a place for the production and retail of organic food. To go back in time in order to move forward...

The main public program is a permanent organic market. A city with a city. What public infrastructure has a stronger cultural character and public responsibility than a fresh food market? Some permanent market stalls, some regular points of sale, some special events... The patterns of movement will define the exact location of the trading areas. A flow of constant variations over a plane. A plane split in two levels, but always in contact with the river IJ

To produce part of the goods sold in the market, a greenhouse is located on the roof-top of the project. Not only will it be part of the production-distribution cycle but it will also have a symbolic presence and fulfil an educational and research role. The greenhouse is accessible to residents and workers as a community garden

A series of associate programs are juxtaposed with the market and greenhouse. These programs increase the density and reinforce each other. Cafes and restaurants can occupy part of the ground floor levels. Utilising the products of the greenhouse, these venues will reinforce the loop of production and distribution and help to communicate the benefits of local organic products

About Open Studio

Open Studio is an ideas-based architectural practice, established in Melbourne in 2005, focusing on contemporary issues of habitation and work environments. Open Studio is dedicated to providing flexible, durable and non-figurative architecture.