Master Dissertation

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RETHINKING NDSM’s LASLOODS AS PORTHOUSE

Re-designing the space definition of the former shipyard’s welding warehouse as built-in safe haven from the perspective of hardcore heritage

This dissertation was written within the framework ‘From Museumization to Spatio-Cultural Crossover’.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission.

WATERGATE: RETHINKING NDSM’s LASLOODS AS PORTHOUSE Re-designing the space definition of the former shipyard’s welding warehouse as built-in save haven from the perspective of hardcore heritage

Author: Cansu Koçdemir Student number: 07302621 kocdemircansu@gmail.com Date: June 18, 2020 International Master of Science in Architecture Faculty of Architecture: Resilient and Sustainable Strategies Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent KU Leuven Academic Promotor: Prof. Dr. Arch. Marc Dujardin

KU Leuven Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent Hoogstraat 51, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

‘‘An affordance is a relation between an aspect of the surroundings and ability that is available in a socio-cultural practice.

Behind the closed doors, every vacant building contains a whole landscape of affordances.’’

-The Studio RAAAF

This master dissertation explores and develops how vacant buildings have potentials for society with their unique qualities and spatial conditions. In particular, it is an experimental project for reawaking the hidden layers of the past and simultaneously evoke the stories behind it.

Applying the study of architectural notion of palimpsest which concerns multi-layered traces and memories to abandoned NDSM shipyard in Amsterdam, this thesis analyses the fragments of inherent components. The site is experiencing physical and intangible transformations ever since 30s, and in the near future especially the west part of the area will be densified by the future projects for NDSM, called Urban Vision. After deeply analysed contextual framework, it is revealed that the monumental formerly ship welding warehouse, ‘Lasloods’ , will become a crucial subject to the strategic interventions.

The methodology is developed under the principles of hardcore heritage and affordances. Through development of new relationships, outside-in approach is followed to grasp entire possibilities. Meanwhile, the idea of linking back and honor the Dutch culture of water shaped the design strategy. As a result, the great past is connected to the inevitable future.

keywords: palimpsest, vacancy, heritage, monument, memory, water

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

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INTRODUCTION

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CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK

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_Palimpsest Dialogues With NDSM Site Revealing the hidden layers of non-linear history

_ Fluid Network in Water-City Relation The value of waterfront in Dutch culture

_Traces Over Time

From the industrial kingdom to the ghost city

_Appealing the Memory

Finding tangible and intangible gems

_Architecture as Reinterpreting

Discovering the new qualities of monuments

_Borders and Pre-Dominant Zones

Densification problem after development projects

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ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT

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_Mediating With the Edges of Lasloods Reinterpreted liminals through peripheral sections

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DEFINING THE APPROACH

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_From Welding Warehouse to Porthouse Creating new possibilities to link back and honor the Dutch culture of water

_Experience of Indoor Dock Reconfiguration the footprint of Lasloods

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DESIGN METHODOLOGY

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_Lasloods as a Sanctuary Shell Analysing the skeleton structure

_Exploring the Possibilities Initial design stages for radical intervention

_Let the Boats Come In Defining the fictional strategies

_Multimodality and Behaviors Alterable spaces according to seasonal conditions

REFERENCES

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INTRODUCTION

How can the past be rehabilitated in order to preserve heritage significance and simultaneously evoke the continuity to share new stories? How can vacancies be a mediator to find these specific qualities of existing structures that play an active role in its transformative history?

The master dissertation project is about rethinking a new spatial strategy to make Laslood’s story visible, rather than preventing a seemingly hopeless and vacancy structure from disappearing in the course of history. The project narrates with the palimpsest transformations from past to the present and till future in the NDSM site which is located in the banks of the river IJ to the north of Amsterdam.

The design aims to keep the monumental signifance with its cultural identity and reclaim the proximity in the backside of canal which teased to make new relationships with water, Lasloods and development area to connect subcultures and new users. Bringing the water into building creates new possibility of a gate. It becomes a place of welcome and farewell as built-in porthouse. It turned the Lasloods from standing alone building to common place by bringing the water in and extruding the building out. Also, Lasloods turned into a safe haven with alterable spaces to keep pace with seasonal conditions.

The former welding warehouse turned into a watergate both for new comers and subcultures to become a multimodal place for spatio-cultural crossovers by reconnecting with the history of Lasloods to the glorious Dutch culture of water. As a result, a new layer is added to penetrate into palimpsest notion.

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1|CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK

Palimpsest

1 | Contextual Framework

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‘‘a very old parchment or document where the text has been deleted or replaced by new writing’’ -Cambridge Dictionary

Fig1_ The Archimedes Palimpsest, Greek copy of parchment codex palimpsest, work of Archimedes of Syracause.

The word ‘palimpsest’, in its most general sense, means rewritten or re-engraved parchment. In the past, writing surfaces were not common that they were often used multiple times. Due to the scarcity of paper in the past, manuscript books that are formed by scraping ink and writing a new text in the vacant place are called palimpsest. No matter how old the original is engraved, its traces can be seen under the new writing and the two writings are in a sense of overlap.

In today’s world, the term palimpsest can refer not only to such documents, but also to anything with multiple layers.

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. . . a s - a r c h i t e c t u r e : “The land, so heavily charged with traces and with past readings, seems very similar to a palimpsest.”

-André Corboz, The Land as a Palimpsest, 1983

Fig2_Ningbo Historic Museum, by Wang Shu.

The concept of palimpsest is also used in the history of architecture owing to the combination of the old and the new. The fact that the new embodies the old and the qualities it carries, in a sense, for the symbolic meanings that the two souls convey in one body. It is a metaphor that scrutinizes the transformation process that occurs over time. The world around us is constantly evolving and simultaneously leaving traces behind. When these traces are inadequate, navigating between interconnected parallels and layered experiences through the course of time can also clarify other possibilities. History makes us aware of layering the experiences and this could be a paradigm to engage in a dialogue with the depth of memory. The notion of palimpsest brings an ongoing reinterpreting process, hereby connects simultaneous realities of the past with the present and the future.

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PALIMPSEST DIALOGUES WITH NDSM SITE REVEALING THE HIDDEN LAYERS OF NON-LINEAR HISTORY

The world we build is the realization of memory. The landscape, buildings, sites, as consequence the city, operates as a palimpsest with historical levels of ongoing transformations. It is constantly written and rewritten narratively, full of evidence and value of history and present, that allows to exist together. Since our consciousness of the past is built on individual and collective memories that are constantly engraved in the urban landscape, the architecture becomes a reflection of the history. In The Architecture of the City, Aldo Rossi (1989) identifies the city as a locus solus in which society plays the role of collective memory constitutes by human events. Applying the idea to palimpsest, we can understand that city as a multi-layered topography of fragments where memory, cultural and morphological history intersect.

This imaginative collage interpretation is based on the fragments of the existing urban reality, the overlaid layers of history and the envisaged future of the NDSM site.

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_Digital collage about palimpsest notion of the past, present and future of NDSM site, by the author.

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1 | Contextual Framework

FLUID NETWORK IN WATER-CITY RELATION

THE VALUE OF WATER IN DUTCH CULTURE

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is situated in the North Holland province. It is located along the North Sea coast and as a result of this situation the city is directly connected by the IJ (river), which is regarded as the main body of the waterfront area in​​ Amsterdam. Eventually, in the borders of IJ is connected to an extensive number of canals in and around the city center. Thus, Amsterdam becomes famous for its urban configuration of waterways where the unique watercity relations are created with a lively atmosphere.

The Nederlandse Scheepsbouw en Droogdok Maatschappij (NDSM, the Dutch Shipbuilding and Dry dock Company) is a former shipyard located on the IJ river in the the northern part of the city, also called as Amsterdam Noord. After around 100 years of glory, NDSM has been an empty area and lapsed from grace during the 90s. NDSM, which was built as a shipyard and drawn the identity of an industrial zone, has gained a new character without losing its former identity and has become an art production area in 2000s by protecting its industrial buildings and bringing them back to life. The development of old and new architecture in harmony that does not spoil the identity of the site, which is one of the architectural successes of this place. Therefore, it is possible to say that, it reflects the historical memory of the region very well.

_Amsterdam’s successive expansion map over time since 1850 till now

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Fig3_The East India Company warehouse in Amsterdam, by Joseph Mulder.

Fig4_Second oldest map of Amsterdam from 1544. by Cornelis Antonisz.

Fig5_The Picturesque, 1646–1670, by Jacob van Ruisdael.

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Fig6_ Water Map of the Netherlands

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WATER BASED GROWTH

Industrial canal cities and areas lay the liminal conditions for continuous flow of water and land.

However, due to the transition from the industrial to the post-industrial era, the economic contradiction has led to changes in the cities and its surroundings. Nevertheless, they still consist of existing industrial buildings that show the cultural value of the past. Therefore, the former industrial areas are waiting for to be reclaimed and bringing new life into.

Amsterdam always gave great importance to the water, which has always been a bedrock attribute in the success of the city and has a clear impact on the development of the area. It is a water-based city that has grown in the form of series of semi-circles from the core area of ​​ IJ and gradually expanded away from it to become the nodus of the circular plan.

In the golden age of Amsterdam, huge amount of cargo ships arrived here consistently, hundreds of years before the railway station was constructed. Today, the river has become the link between the city and the world as an open connector.

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GETTING CLOSER TO THE NDSM WHARF

THE BEATING HEART OF THE CITY

The city of Amsterdam where grew as outer waving from its historic center, is subjected into various developments starting from on the banks of IJ river and later in the northern regions. With these developments and new city vision plans that happened in the 2000s, where the changes of modern Dutch buildings can be seen; in the north, Silodam, Eye Film Museum, and IJ Dok, in the east KNSM trade zone and many other projects, new layers and attraction points of the city began to emerge.

In parallel with these developments, an unexpected, unplanned occupation movement took place in the northern part, namely; NDSM. Today, with the occupation and development, it acts as a naturally formed city but an alternative model of life within its own rules, with temporary and permanent work areas, and commercial units. NDSM, which is located only 10 minutes away from the central station, continues its life cycle in relation to the city and its surrounded architectural values.

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Transportation by; 1- ferry 2- car 3- cycle

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

Lasloods 1952

Submarine 4711 1955

Boat Hotel 2015

NDSM Cranes 1940-2013

Pontsteiger 2017

Silodam 2003

IJ Dok 2013

Eye Film Museum & ADAM Tower

2012 & 2016

Amsterdam Central Station

1997-2018

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1 | Contextual Framework

Lasloods as the image of in urban context of Amsterdam city.

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Lasloods at first glance thorough ferry transportation.

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1 | Contextual Framework

_Overlapped digital collage entangled with different layers of memory, by the author.

‘‘The palimpsest is a trope for memory and absolute origins that cannot remember its own origins; it maintains its poise only in positing a demonstrably mythical event and in concealing under that event any dissenting traces.’’

-Brecht de Groot

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TRACES OVER TIME

FROM INDUSTRIAL KINGDOM TO THE GHOST CITY

We learn from our past and share certain collective knowledge and historical events that connected to places with broader history and tradition. Within the framework of areal readings, the palimpsest notion was followed owing to NDSMwharf’s multi-layered character.

It has traces over time where old and new become juxtaposed, permanent and impermanent can be read in the former layout of the previous buildings.

How can one create a layer of memory to which the buildings are superimposed and make us aware of an encounter with the past?

To explore the approach, a literal and metaphorical gesture system from Gordon Matta-Clark was followed through constructive and destructive verbs such as overlay, split, peel of, cut off. With his cutting operations on the building, he changed the interior-exterior perception of the space. With the gaps he created within the building, new areas are formed and increased the interaction with outdoor elements such as light, and thus, it allowed the flooring pieces to be perceived as a differently used surface. With this work, MattaClark began to reveal the historical layers and skeleton of the building.

Fig7_ThresHole. Bronx Floors: Threshole. 1972-73 New York,

by Gordon Matta-Clark

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1 | Contextual Framework

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Fig8_1930

After the industrial revolution, the Netherlands has made a special progress, especially in shipbuilding and shipyard management.

The Dutch Shipbuilding Company, which was founded in 1894 in Oostenburg as NV, has changed its name to NDM, NSM and most recently NDSM due to the changes in partnerships and currently located in the common site was almost one kilometer long.

Being a leader company in 1937, NSM made important contributions to the country’s economy thanks to the modern shipbuilding techniques that they developed in the early 20th century. The company, ranked as number one in Europe constructing war and passenger ships in the 30s, which was put on records as one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world.

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1 | Contextual Framework

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Fig9_1958

The eastern and central parts formed the heart of the shipbuilding industry, while the western was intended for ship repair.

In the following years, the company, which was operating as NSM changed its name to NDSM (Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij) in partnership with Dutch shipbuilding engineers.

The company has produced cargo, passenger and warships especially for the Dutch Navy for many years and after Second World War manufactured oil tankers based on innovative processes.

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1 | Contextual Framework

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Fig10_1972

As a result of the decreasing warship construction and demands after World War II, the company stopped producing new ships in 1978. NDSM continued ship repairs until 1984, but when the company declared bankruptcy in 1984, the government has decided to cut its donation for the reclamation of this area.

Following the bankruptcies, the abandonment increased, and irreversible collapses and disruptions happened in the south-west of the site. “Ghost city” has been formed in the north of Amsterdam, consists of heavy industrial buildings since the mid-80’s.

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Fig11_2014

They have created an art-craft city, which is in motion every season of the year, from art-design workshops to theater and festival venues, from student dormitories to skateboard tracks, and even to various newly emerged local businesses. The development of old and new architecture in harmony that preserves the identity of the area is one of the architectural successes of this place. Therefore, it is possible to say that it reflects the historical memory of the site very well.

After several years of abandonment, under the leadership of Eva de Klerk, some bottom-up initiatives collaborated as ‘city nomads’ to give importance back to the area. These people established a foundation called ‘Kinetisch Noord’ (2000) in order to be more organized and to support their movement legally. As a result, the monumental shipbuilding shed transformed into ‘Kunststad’ (Art City) as a self-made structure and became one of the cultural hotspots in Amsterdam.

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1 | Contextual Framework

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Fig12_2019

Currently, the NDSM site is symbolic of many historical significances. From the production process elements such as; the ramps (heilings), equipment ports and tracks, cranes, docks to buildings that characterized the entire site can be still seen. The east yard is considered to be the core area of ​​ cultural history.

In 2014, it shapes its current condition with preserved buildings especially in the eastern part and new buildings in the western part. Partly in view of the large size of the IJ River, NDSM site forms a clearly recognizable with conservative elements and buildings.

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1 | Contextual Framework

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Fig13_2019

According to the development project under the name of ‘Urban Vision’, the NDSM East region will continue to maintain its current state with its new structures to be transformed, but approximately 2000 residential, commercial-office-shopping and cultural units are planned for the western part.

In summary, this new project, which is planned to be divided into different districts, contradicts the idea of the selfmade NDSM in some ways. As a matter of fact, the project causes some members of the Kinetisch Noord Foundation and local people to be subjected to intense reactions owing to its dominant environment.

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‘‘The memory is only an immense and complicated palimpsest.’’

-Charles Baudelaire

Fig14_After Image, The Sugar factory in Groningen, by RAAAF

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APPEALING THE MEMORY

FINDING TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE GEMS

This part is focusing on the preserved and shared memories of the city, place and its inhabitants.

The moment stands for the past that we are still experiencing it and exposed by. To get into deep, one should dig into unconscious traces to reveal the past dynamics.

It’s a visual, photographic and inspirational collection that I got imprints from the NDSM site. This method helps me to find the lost gems and reveal the hidden layers of palimpsest notion. In some aspects, these memories are tangible where you can appropriate with them, and also sometimes intangible that the traditions can feel as mentally.

Memory is all about remembering.

We collect and connect the imaginaries to the memory of place. As RAAAF aims to expose the hidden layers of pillar foundation to provide new affordances in ‘After Image’ project, with a strategic way of thinking the evidence of memorial history is accomplished. Also, space canbe attracted by history in other ways such as in the approach of National Museum of Roman Art where a space full of old and new memories gave the building a lasting power of an architectural ruin.

Fig15_Museum of Roman Art, Mérida, Spain , 1980-86, by Rafael Moneo

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-A proud engineer stands in front of passenger vessel and an engineer works for a new project.

-Eva De Klerk at the entrance of the shipbuilding warehouse in 2002, with crane 13 which was converted into a hotel.

-Richard Long, a line made by walking, the trace both permanent and impermanent.

-Railway tracks in the NDSM site -Yona Friedman: ‘‘Imagine, having improvised volumes floating in space, like balloon.’’

-Cranes over the site.

-Constant Nieuwenhuy’s New Babylon Central Station.

-Art City NDSM skeleton structure.

-Superstudio-In the New Domestic Landscape, 1972.

-Concrete grid slab which is prevalent in the area.

-Itsukushima Shrine as an example of intagible heritage providing continious through generations.

-Half ship is ready for launch.

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_Projets on the site, current condition, by the author

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ARCHITECTURE AS REINTERPRETING DISCOVERING THE NEW QUALITIES AND TRANSFORMATION OF NDSM STRUCTURE

The transformation in the district started with the revitalization of the existing structures and continued with the newly built buildings. With increasing demand for NDSM site day by day and the idea of creative space, various companies have established new office buildings especially in the south of the site. The offices of international companies such as IdTV, Discovery Channel, MTV Netherlands, HEMA and VNU are located here with their new buildings.

Today, NDSM, with an area of 20.000 m2 from the ship production period, has the most interesting structures that have been turned into working areas of city nomads. The project, called the Art City, where the philosophy ‘De Stad als Casco’ -The City As a Shellimplemented can be count one of the powerful project on the site.

The main aim is to conserve the old industrial building and connect the area to the city and develop it on the basis of existing use.

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_NDSM Site Landmarks, by the author.

Fig16_Silhouette of NDSM site by the IJ river,by NDSM Energie.

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The old and large warehouse structures of NDSM were preserved and transformed, especially because their demolitions were expensive. According to the mind mapping mentioned by Lynch (1960), these structures can be considered as “the image of the city”; they have monumental values due to their historical characteristics. Especially the crane structure dating back to the 40s -Kraan 13- has been an important icon with a sacred meaning for the people of the site. However, transforming it into a luxury hotel has unfortunately destroyed the monumental structure of the crane as a symbol of the district.

Other monumental structures in the area are the Lasloods (welding warehouse) and the old ramps called ‘Helling’ where the ships descend into the water.

While X-Helling is closed to use, Y-Hellwas started to use as festival area after a precious renovation. The craneway structure where stands the western corner of the site turned into a huge horizontal office building.

However, except from Art City project none of the projects keep the heritage value of the NDSM site. Clearly it seems that Laloods stands on the edge of this complexity.

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NARRATIVE GROUPS

THE TOURIST

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THE ARTIST

Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

THE PERFORMER

THE OFFICE WORKER

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THE DWELLER

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BORDERS AND PRE-DOMINANT ZONES DENSIFICATION AFTER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

As of 2014, NDSM has become a very important center for Amsterdam. This interesting formation has been a very good source of income for the region and Amsterdam economically.

The second-hand market, events and festivals held on weekends and special days also increase the attractiveness of the area. The city council is attracted by the development of NDSM for the new future projects. However, the most crucial concern is losing the heritage values of the region, just becoming a commercial area with increased rental costs, and as a consequence artists and designers forced to leave out of the place again. So this is a danger.

Lasloods will start to act as a buffer zone in between cultural heritage and newcomers.

There is a great need for exchange and connection between east and west. The basic idea should be that the entire yard becomes a place for self-organization, urban development, programming and all other possible trends that also affect the common yard.

What kind of memory can re-evoked to facilitate a network between subcultures and new comers?

How can architecture develop a place identity through the imaginative reconstruction of the past?

‘‘No culture without subcultures.’’

-Eva de Klerk

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Lasloods in motion of ship welding dynamics

Lasloods as a freestanding building

Lasloods in alteration of subcultures

Lasloods in danger of new development and car park building

Lasloods lost in the course of time...

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Edges

2 | Architectural Statement

MEDIATING WITH THE EDGES OF LASLOODS

REINTERPRETED LIMINALS THROUGH PERIPHERAL SECTIONS

High Inner Dynamics / shows the areas that have strong market driven characteristics. Diminished heritage power, visible control mechanisms and new district opportunities are some of the characteristics for development areas. These areas have tendency to grow parallel to number of users and profits and showed more by trends and top-down policies.

High Outer Dynamics / shows the areas that have strong heritage place embedded characteristics. Elements of these areas are highly connected which creates their collective values and if they are separated they may loose their value. Power of bottom-up plan is more visible and marginal usage is welcomed in these areas.

Between Areas / that have some elements from inner and outer dynamics without certain characteristics.

Catalyst / shows edges that are can be affected strongly by the surroundings.

Porosity / indicates in and outer permeability characteristics.

Pressure / shows surrounded risky changes through outer pressures.

_Solid and void change since 1930 till now, by the author

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2 | Architectural Statement

The architectural statement starts as an approach from outside to inside. First of all , the outside dynamics are examined starting from the history of the area, including the present conditions and considering future developments as significant impact for the heritage part and Lasloods. To support the possibilities 4 edge approach followed to trigger the monument by functional and behaviorological patterns.

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_Mediating with the edges of Lasloods through peripheral sections ,by the author.

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Fig17-18-19-20_

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EDGE 1 HONORING THE SQUARE IN BETWEEN ART CITY and LASLOODS

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2 | Architectural Statement

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The in between void near Lasloods has changed in the course of time. Mostly it was used for storing materials and now the area is occupied by temporal dynamics where monthly flea markets and festivals happen there. This edge has the crucial quality in terms of interaction and dialogue with ArtCity, Lasloods, and the heritage part. The main starting point of this edge is thinking Lasloods as a sponge for all communities by approaching monumental escape route.

On this edge the aim is to create inner and outer urban porosity instead of standing as a facade on its own.

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Fig21-22_

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EDGE 2 REHABILITATING WITH THE MISSING PIECE ON THE WAY OF ARRIVAL POINT to LASLOODS

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

After the western development area started to emerge Lasloods will lose its strategic location through the site.

Even from port arrival part, visitors may not be able to see Anne Frank graffiti which is a beacon characteristics for the NDSM site and Lasloods. From this edge the aim is being a connector for narratives that can benefit and to give back spatial and cultural identity by changing the perimeter of the building.

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2 | Architectural Statement

Fig23-24_

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EDGE 3 ACTING AS A BUFFER ZONE to LEAVE NEW DEVELOPMENT by LIMITING ITS ACTIONS

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

The west facade of Lasloods was acting as a passage through bridge which wokers can come and go through. However, new development project will have a huge pressure on the building. The aim is to restore a balance and dialogue between east and west part, not only extending new perimeter to surrounding but also leaving the developmental area a bit.

Since there is a development program on the west Lasloods should not consider as a closed box but a potential for something different by chasing the conditions in and around. Even though the pressure less sophisticated interventions and as much as open spaces should be more prominent.

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Fig25-26-27_

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EDGE 4 REGENERATING THE BACKSIDE CANAL

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

There are several options to reach NDSM site and one of them is from northern side of Lasloods and even in the history workers were coming by bike. Also , on the backside of Lasloods there is a canal (now a private marina) which was used to be active by small boat transportation and water sports during that time.

The aim is to revitalize water related activites with the historical characteristics of building ships by a totally new gate when you approach from north.

Thuswise, the welding warehouse can be a new vision for waterland relationships for the whole city.

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Watergate

3 | Defining the Approach

_Reframing the history of Lasloods, collage by the author.

‘‘...we have come to read cities and buildings as palimpsests of space, monuments as transformable and transitory, and sculpture as subject to the vicissitudes of time.’’

-Andreas Huyssen

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FROM WELDING WAREHOUSE TO PORTHOUSE

CREATING NEW POSSIBILITIES TO LINK BACK AND HONOR THE DUTCH CULTURE OF WATER

Turning Lasloods to ‘street art museum’ is not a long term solution and it is against the culture of ‘street’ art to put the artworks into canvas then stuck them inside of the building. Lasloods plays a significant role as a vacant monument and waiting for values of different behaviorologies. There are more in and outside dynamics and synergies between other buildings, so the aim should be to revive the alter ego of the building by evoking the past. NDSM site needs diversities, not similarities.

In the past, huge ship parts were welded together in the Lasloods. They rolled out of the huge blue doors as a ship or hull and be ready for the slope (heiling) to launch through the water. Inside, you can still smell the production history; railroad tracks passing through the shed and the yellow production cranes that are still running .

When the city council is attracted by the development of NDSM for the future projects, they decided to turn Lasloods to ‘‘world’s largest street art museum’’ and place a carpark building in between area of Lasloods and Art City.

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EXPERIENCE OF INDOOR DOCK

RECONFIGURATION THE FOOTPRINT OF LASLOODS

The proximity of backside canal is teased to create new dialogues and relationships with water, Lasloods and new developments. Bringing the water into the building and leaving one third of Lasloods inside of water, turning the structure as built-in safe haven...

Also, by that way, it created the possibility for new transportation opportunities from northern part to welcome people of Holland by boat. As a result, hardcore heritage affordances are achieved by making radical interventions to connect the glorious past to inevitable future.

Water has always been a valuable subject to the Dutch culture. Even though in particular moments it is defined as a threat, there is no doubt that this spiritual element will always be a source for quality of life.

As typical in the industrial heritages, water has undeniable significance in the NDSM site.

The industrial national monument, Lasloods, has incredibly challenging but also complex system with deeply rooted history.

It has spatial and cultural identity of water related dynamics.

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_Watergate, collage by the author.

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3 | Defining the Approach

NDSM has been welcoming crowds since 30s. The site was embracing people for farewell ship launching events on the Y-heiling.

Even the company publication shows the craziness about water related dynamics in the history of the site.

Fig28-29_

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Changed current relations with water based activities and events such as festival and open air movie screening

Fig30-31-32-33-34_

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Safe Haven

4 | Design Methodology

Fig35_Lasloods structural elements, by Sigrid van Essel

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LASLOODS AS A SANCTUARY SHELL ANALYSING THE SKELETON STRUCTURE

The industrial warehouse is defined by monotonic brick facades with huge blue hangar doors from outside. The flat roof supports four trapezoidal roof lights that can be realized even from IJ. An extension of the service block is attached to the south facade which can be seen from arrival point.

In the width direction, the original transport rails cross the warehouse, over which ship parts were previously carried. The warehouse can be divided spatially into two naves, formed by imposed steel construction.

The main elements; bone, cranes, hangar doors, steel striped ground, roof lights, are considered as important values to rethink Lasloods as a watergate.

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THE SKELETON

THE CRANES

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

THE STEEL STRIPED GROUND

THE ROOF LIGHTS

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EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES

INITIAL DESIGN STAGES FOR RADICAL INTERVENTION

The design stages have started with the idea of blurring the harsh edges and reflecting Lasloods in the pillars of its own structure which stands on the canal. To create a space that inside becomes outside by opening up the north facade through canal . The aim is to change the idea of closed museum space to a multimodal common place which acts as a gate, connector or sometimes a separator.

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LET THE BOATS COME IN

DEFINING THE FICTIONAL STRATEGIES

1|

current canal situation as a private marina pressure of development density versus power of open spaces

2|

exploring the northern mobility when the canal joins the square

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3|

water wants to get into Lasloods, Lasloods opens up through water

4|

let the boats come in!

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routing entryways

outside inside interactions

towards new dynamics

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MULTIMODALITY AND BEHAVIORS ALTERABLE SPACES ACCORDING TO SEASONAL CONDITIONS

ON SEASON:

acting as a welcoming gate for water based activities, music, culture and art festivals

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OFF SEASON: acting as a safe haven for new comers and subcultures to appropriate as a closed gate

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Watergate: Rethinking NDSM’s Lasloods as Porthouse

ON SEASON:

opening up the glass panels through square to create a common ground floor

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OFF SEASON: closing panels for neighbourhood activities, simultaneously experiencing it through transparency

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The mechanic history of Lasloods was awakened with folded glass gate, which enhanced the interior and exterior and blends in so well with different atmospheres. The gate system runs with lift straps and gearbox attached to the wall.

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After entering through gates, a moveable platform lift welcomes visitors. One of the historical cranes lifts people to the upper floor.

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By this way, the past function dynamic of cranes are shaped up to the present conditions.

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The extension of canal strengthen the dialogues between water and culture.

People can meet and gather within the water or be alone with the calming effect of it. If there is a water based event, they can also enjoy the view from the sunk stairs.

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The staircase not only functions as view tribune for small events and runway shows, but also from the back can be used for kiosk and ticket office.

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Cranes lift people, as well as they help displaying artworks.

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Creating an interaction between Lasloods and the new development by opening extra windows to its context and environment

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REFERENCES

Rossi, Aldo. The Architecture of The City. Cambridge, The MIT Press, 1982.

De groote, Brecht. “The Palimpsest as a Double Structure of Memory .” Orbis Litterarum 69:2 108–133, 2014.

Lloyd, Rosemary. Baudelaire’s World. Cornell University Press, 2002.

Lynch , Kevin. The Image of the City. The M.I.T. Press, 1960.

Huyssen, Andreas. Present Pasts: Urban Palimpsests and the Politics of Memory. Stanford University Press: 2003, p.7. and p.71 Corboz, André. “The Land as Palimpsest”, in: Diogène, no. 121 (January-March 1983), pp. 12-31. Translated by R. Scott Walker.

Rietveld R., Rietveld E., Zoeteman M., Mackic A., editors. Vacancy Studies: Experiments & Strategic Interventions in Architecture, nai010 Publishers, 2014, p.89 Oswalt, Philipp. Urban Catalyst: Strategies for Temporary Use. Dom Publishers, 2013.

De klerk, Eva. Make Your City the City as a Shell. Valiz, 2017.

Otero-Pailos , Jorge, et al. Experimental Preservation. Lars Müller Publishers, 2016.

WEB REFENRENCES: “NDSM-Werf Museum.” NDSMWerf Museum, 2011, www.ndsm-werfmuseum.nl/.

Kingma, Cees. Monumentaal Aan De Zaan, 2006, www.zaans-industrieel-erfgoed.nl/ index.html?pages_4%2Freportage_ndsm_werf_oost.html.

“NDSM Shipyard.” Eva De Klerk, www.evadeklerk.com/en/ndsm-werf/.

Amsterdam, Gemeente. “Overzicht Lopende Projecten NDSM.” Amsterdam.nl, Gemeente Amsterdam, 15 June 2020, www.amsterdam.nl/projecten/ndsm-werf/overzicht-lopende/.

Communicatie, Xicero. Projecten Van Projectontwikkelaar BMB Ontwikkeling Vastgoedbedrijf Amsterdam Regio, www.bmb.nl/projecten/.

Rietveld Landscape, RAAAF. “After Image - Projects.” RAAAF, 18 June 2020, www.raaaf.nl/en/projects/976_after_image.

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