AMSTERDAM
On the day of arrival in the Netherlands, Monday the
8th of October, we drove into the centre of Amsterdam. The first building
visited was the Wozoco housing scheme for the elderly. We then drove further
into the centre to view the Het Schip project. Before our retirement to the
hotel and Rotterdam, we went to the city docklands to view the Borneo-Sporenburg
project which has a masterplan by West 8 and includes many Architects’ work,
among which are MVRDV and Claus & Kaan.
ROTTERDAM
The first building visited in Rotterdam was the chapel
designed for the cemetery St. Mary of the angels by Mecanoo. We then moved back
into the city centre to explore the NAI, Sonneveld House and Museum Park.
DELFT
Before arriving in Delft, the coach stopped in the
residential area that is Waterwijk Ypenburg where MRDV have developed the idea
of variety within masterplan and Architecture. The mix of housing types and
finishes has resulted in the creation of a vibrant suburban community. We moved
on to Delft University with its library and improvised Architecture faculty
before finishing the day in the town with a measured drawing task.
UTRECHT
The first building visited in Utrecht was the town
hall by Enrich Miralles. His design was an exploration of Deconstructivism and
restoration. From there, I took the opportunity to walk down to Centraal Library
before the coach was to leave for the University. At the university I visited
the Library by Wiel Arets and the Educatorium by OMA. The final visit for the
day was the Schroder House.