Borneo sporenburg final

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Theorizing the City | Tales of Three Cities

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A waterfront settlement where it sits close by the East of the heart of Amsterdam. The two connected docks - Borneo and Sporenburg pay close relation towards the inbetween body of ocean, IJmeer that meets by their sides, acknowledging the close distance of several neighboring island context.

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Borneo Sporenburg is a predominately residential development with 2500 housing units. Its linear parcels lie along docks and provide a waterscape as well as streetscape. Landscape architect West 8 designed the master plan of Borneo Sporenburg, which encompasses two large docks. It is also the first high density development in Amsterdam with a density of 100 residential units per hectare as the requirement.

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B O R N E O The two penisulas of Borneo and Sporenburg, located at northeastern end of Amsterdam docks, are tied together by a twin bridges that span across a wide basin, namely Python.

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The void is represented by open spaces; and its context - ocean surrounding the edges of the islands, whereas the built form represents the private dwelling units and semi-public spaces.

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Borneo Sporenburg was first a dockland island integrated as a trade center. The area was formed for industrial and harbor locations serving trades for the Hollands colonies. It later bloomed economically, especially after being developed as deep water harbor in 1876. The quay was designed intendedly to be more modern efficient into loading and unloading with a deep water construction. However, the harbor couldn’t sustain itself. After World War 2, it was moved to the cities' western docklands whilst some industries bloomed in the area which made it less busy and disused in the 1970s.

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C O N V E R S I O N In 1996, a decision was made to convert Borneo and Sporenburg to a high residential neighborhood development area from an abandoned harbor. The urban setting presented a very high density of 100 units per hector (3 times the density of a typical sub-urban development) along with low-rise housings each with door openings towards the streets.

More than 100 architects and planners contributed in the planning procedure together with the public, creating some new typologies and urban spaces for middle-class families. The plan divides 3 “sculpture blocks� known as spinix, pacman, and fountainhead, creating crucial landmarks with certain public nodes, such as courtyards and greenery. In fact, the vast ocean coverage surrounding the city aids in relation as a leading public space, open for Amsterdam boating culture.

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I N S P I R A T I O N The design of low-rise housings was resulted by West 8, which featured harmonic connections between built and un-built forms. The planners, West 8 got the inspiration from villages on the former zuiderzee - a place where small houses oriented towards water with a a pulsing relation between the out and in-door spaces.

S E N S E O F Â D I V E R S I T Y Â West 8 gave twenty-odd architects the same townhome envelope but allowed each to design with minimal constraints.

The result is a streetscape of diverse,in between integrated modern facades. Each is unique, but they form a coherent whole.

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During the 1970’s the docklands were taken over by artists, squatters, nomads, and houseboat dwellers. They formed a large community in the docklands.

However after the redevelopment during 1980’s, most of these squatters moved out but the artists and houseboat dwellers remained at the area over time.

Paying relation to its physical site context, Borneo’s people and culture revolves their activities by its prevailing water context surrounding it. Boating, or rather water recreational activities by the public nodes are of a common sight as the integral part of incorporating the oceans as a form of tourist attraction, scenic beauty, or rather a quality social and cultural destination.

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L I M I T E D O P P O R T U N I T Y Commercial activities in Borneo Sporenburg are relatively lesser than other areas because it is aimed to be a high density suburb residential area. Due to that, the area has high potential to develop into a more commercial district due to its relative low commercial activity compared to the neighboring areas.

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Borneo Sporenburg has successfully developed an urban environment on the dockland which incorporates urban design principles and considerations into attending the needs of the residents. The progress of urbanization captures the essence of being a desired quality city to inhabit – a benchmark for a livable city.

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Engaging Context

Breaking Uniformity

Street Identity

Sustainable Transportation

Conserving Tradition and Culture

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Social Integration

Individuality and Collectivity

Create Livability

Future Considerations

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Adapting the vast body of oceans with means of lifestyle within the residents

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The character of the buildings arranged linearly along the open path is relatable to one another to its scale, and proportion of the buildings' volume. The linear arrangement is set to accommodate the linear form of docklands' island. The in-between ocean stream breaks the continuity of linear building organization to continue across the stream.

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Public spaces like open path and park take a waterfront character through a direct visual relation to the ocean. Private spaces like office buildings are orientated perpendicularly towards the local context - ocean. However, some inner private spaces like institutional building and museum which are set in between the row of houses, are enclosed and have no visual engagement towards the ocean.Â

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Points subtracted in between the linear arrangement of buildings create a framing view towards the sea instead of a dead-end wall. Through the continuous circulation that runs in a linear manner along the docklands, the opening ends achieve a visual connectivity with the local context – ocean.

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Emphasizing the break of interplay in built form to deter from being repetitive

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A variety of play in façade pattern designs breaks the symmetrical, repetitive and monotonous character of the building envelope, evoking dialogues between human walking along the in-between pathway and the buildings settled side-by-side.

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A sudden change of visual and spatial programming from private dwelling units to public commercial building breaks the apparent uniform pattern of housing arrangement. The emphasis towards the built form of the public building also breaks the constant visual peripheral, affecting the harmony aspect in the sense of views and vistas.

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The break of linearity in cause of the sudden placement of massive orientated commercial blocks in between the rows of dwelling units interferes with the direct and continuous circulation pattern of the island, creating an abrupt change in overall movement pattern along the in-between pathway.Â

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Translating compelling distinctive character of Amsterdam into architectural elements

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Building geometrical pattern is repeated throughout, thus giving a monotonous visual as a whole.

The collective dwelling units reflect the character of the street and the adaptability of the buildings.

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In between the confined placement of low rise dwellings settlement and peeking through the cone of linearity arrangement of the buildings, there stands a high rise commercial building contradicting the monotonous character of the street. The high rise stands as a landmark to whole, converging residents to the focal point.

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The bridge, placed in between two peninsulas, caters the movement circulation of human in and throughout. This gives an impression of the identity in which foot traffic is emphasized and accessible using this way instead of vehicular transportation.Â

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Alternative vehicular usage, easing movement through adaptability of context

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L I N E A R U N O B S T R U C T E D P A T H W A Y The linear arrangement of the street and pathway in front of the dwelling units in relation with the linearity of built form caters the island’s diverse use of sustainable transportation like walking and cycling.

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In between the buildings sits an open public space where it provides opportunity for bicycle users to rest their bicycles upon this space, encouraging minimal usage of cars for travelling purposes within the island. It is placed strategically within the commercial and residential zone, allowing users to reach destinations with ease.

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The continuity of pedestrian pathway that links every corner of the islands, forms a smooth, continuous circulation, providing ease of walkability for the residents. The convenience accessing along the pathway allows and encourages sustainability through movement.Â

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C O N S E R V I N G T R A D I T I O N A N D C U L T U R E Preservation of traditional Dutch culture to continue its significance

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I N H E R I T A N C E Â The slim, high and deep form of the dwelling units reflects the restricted characters of the traditional Dutch canal house in which its opening is orientated towards the ocean stream, easing their access to the water transportation.

The implementation of the form also prolongs the continuity of historical context of Amsterdam.

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A D A P T I V E R E U S E The previous function of Borneo Sporenburg as a trading dock is later adapted in the redevelopment to be a stretch of residential dockland. The original materials are conserved and maintained by the harbor which retains the original character of the docklands.

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Circulation of water transportation is remained by the linearity of the stream in between the two peninsulas, leading towards the open ocean. The transition from the linear circulation to the free form circulation on the ocean is undisturbed, thus preserving the boating culture.

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Adhering social aspects and influences through urban planningÂ

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N O D E The subtracted void in the middle of the building creates an emphasis of the quality public realm of the space in relation of the building. A suitable open public space achieved in contrast from the lacking of public nodes surrounding.

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S P A T I A L I N T E G R I T Y T H R O U G H P U B L I C F A C I L I T I E S

A variety of public facilities provided in between spaces functions as an opportunity to cater the needs for social aspect of the residents. Adaptability of the facilities diversifies the means of livability within the peninsulas.

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The perpendicular linear pattern which connects the two peninsulas bridges the residents towards a quality social landscape from an urban context. The linear transitional circulation enhances the quality of social integration within the urban setting. Â

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I N D I V I D U A L I T Y A N D C O L L E C T I V I T Y Emphasizing the sequential vertical built elements through a harmonious repetitive mannerÂ

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B R E A K O F H O R I Z O N T A L C O N T I N U I T Y The horizontal stretch of dwelling units contradicts with the desired sequential vertical built form. Scale and proportion of the built form is discontinued by the placement of a mass built form inbetween the linearity as an individual character, breaking down the collective monotonous horizontal arrangement.

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N E I G H B O R H O O D C O N N E C T I V I T Y A public, open-space infrastructure is set to provide bridges, parks and circulation space to connect the two peninsulas as a whole. This network of open spaces provides public presence while contrasting with the individuality of the private dwelling units.

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Individual linear continuous pathway in one direction throughout the edges of the island collectively makes up the whole circulation pattern of the island – straightforward vertical movement in a returning pattern. This will ease movement with its clear and unobstructed circulation.

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To form a vital and cohesive community in achieving quality lifestyle

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The interplay of built architecture and void – a diagonal green strip sits between two buildings, forms a wide, open path that acts as a buffer realm that interlinks residents’ culture. Thus, improving quality of life within an urban setting.

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D I V E R S E Z O N I N G The density of public spaces forms a diversity of spatial programming, ranging from recreational to educational.

The variety of activity options allows diverse range of ages to live together within a community and various social habits among the resident population.

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T R A N S I T I O N A L M O V E M E N T The transition of circulation from private to public is apparent, accessing from a private domain to public infrastructure is immediate as the entrance is opened directly to the pathway. The quality of space changes when accessing from one realm to another.

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Thoughts and considerations into adaptability in an urban setting over time

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M O D U L A R I T Y

The efficient mix layout of different spaces within dwelling units forms a variety of modular typology, aiding in sustaining adaptability of various resident’s need in a dense urban context.

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U S A G E

Greater room heights are not only a desirable feature for the living units but also provide flexibility in spatial usage, allowing future conversion into retail, restaurant, and office space.

The conversion of spatial programming creates individuality of character of each living units. Â

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C Y C L E

The one way circulation pattern disrupts the ease of traffic improvisation - lacking of alternative routing for convenience in vehicular circulation. The repeated stretch of streets in between buildings prolongs the vehicular journeys throughout the island.

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The built form planning of Borneo Sporenburg engages mainly through the body of ocean and the relation of residents’ needs in social and cultural aspect. The functional zoning is distributed along the linear arrangement of the docklands, corresponding with the linear circulation pattern with openings of edges in between built forms framing the view of the ocean.

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U N I F O R M I T Y

The form of linearity is broken down through the apparent built form, creating a typology of sort with its individuality. Noticeable play of patterns contradicts with the uniformity of the built form on the docklands, interrupting harmony aspect of the continuity.

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I D E N T I T Y

Distinctive characters are represented though the means of repetitive uniqueness that leads to the noticeable landmark which connects the two peninsulas together, thus giving a legible diverging point to the docklands.

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T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

Integrated considerations of continuous clean unobstructed movements into catering the necessities of alternative modes of transportation throughout the docklands, as well to ease the movement around the docklands without reliance of vehicles.

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Consideration and modesty of the prevailing presence of the pioneer built form functions as well as the residents’ boating culture, remaining the legitimate character of the previous docklands.

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Human interactions through the provided gathering spaces whilst easing connections of distant residents; interlacing residents socially with the in-between elements of the city, such as open spaces, bridges and parks.

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A N D

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Collective linear arrangements repeated with various distinctive character connected as a whole in a single direction.

C R E A T E

L I V A B I L I T Y

Emphasizing the needs of quality in life of the residents through the plentiful spatial layout with the convenience into circulating within a diverse neighborhood plan.

F U T U R E

C O N S I D E R A T I O N S

Thoughts and considerations onto improving quality of life through the exploration in spatial typology in term of modularity whilst impacts on the concept of linearity on adaptability.

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A N A L Y T I C A L

ARCHITECTS' CONCEPT

ENGAGING CONTEXT

BREAKING UNIFORMITY

STREET IDENTITY

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION

CONSERVING TRADITION AND CULTURE

A N A L Y T I C A L

T A B L E

T A B L E

FORM

FUNCTION

CIRCULATION

Building Along The Edge

Functional Zoning

Framing Views Of Ocean

Facade Variation

Spatial Transition

Break Of Pattern

Building Geometry

Focal Point

Alternative Flow

Linear Unobstructed Pathway

Bike Park

Continuous Movement

Inheritance

Adaptive Reuse

Water Transportation

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ARCHITECTS' CONCEPT

A N A L Y T I C A L

T A B L E

T A B L E

FORM

FUNCTION

CIRCULATION

Central Node

Spatial Integrity Through Public Facilities

Solid Flow

INDIVIDUALITY AND COLLECTIVITY

Break Of Horizontal Continuity

Neighborhood Connectivity

One Direction

CREATE LIVABILITY

Avoid Space

Diverse Zoning

Transitional Movement

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Modularity

Flexibility in Spatial Usage

Prolonged Cycle

SOCIAL INTEGRATION

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C O M M E N T

The development planning of Borneo Sporenburg has successfully etch a significant impact towards the conservative approach in the urban context by fulfilling all the concepts stated by the architects. However, the city still misses several miniscule details into incorporating considerations of being it flexible at certain aspects of the city.

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R E P E T I T I O N

The repeated, monotonous dwelling units stretches to an extent of the entire urban context. Horizontal facades are formed instead of vertical ones, lacking its sense of individualistic character.

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Residents are seen to use streets and sidewalks as gathering areas due to the lack of public nodes. The open public spaces available are limited to cater the needs of the residents, especially in the high dense neighborhood.

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The lack of mixed land use contradicts with the concept of implementing sustainable transportation into the neighborhood. Residents are relied on owning vehicles to reach facilities that are not offered in this development.

D A N K T H A N K D U T C H

J E !

Y O U I N L A N G U A G E

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G R O U P

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Chee Jia Xin Chifundo Sapuwa Eric Lo Yann Shin Kalvin Bong Jia Ying Kang Zi Shan Kennett Lim Roong Xiang Lee Shi Yin Tan Wei Sen Ting Xiao Yao

R E F E R E N C E S Kcap.eu. (2018). Visuals - Borneo Sporenburg - Projects - KCAP. [online] Available at: https://www.kcap.eu/en/projects/v/borneo_sporenburg/ [Accessed 1 May 2018].

8, W. (2018). Borneo-Sporenburg. [online] West 8. Available at: http://www.west8.com/projects/urban_design/borneo_sporenburg [Accessed 2 May 2018].

KAAN Architecten. (2018). Borneo Sporenburg - KAAN Architecten. [online] Available at: http://kaanarchitecten.com/project/borneo-sporenburg/ [Accessed 1 May 2018].

WikiArquitectura. (2018). Two houses in Borneo Sporenburg - Data, Photos & Plans - WikiArquitectura. [online] Available at: https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/two-houses-in-borneo-sporenburg/ [Accessed 3 May 2018].

Green Prize 7, (September 2006) Residential Waterfront, Borneo Sporenburg, Amsterdam Geuze, A, (n.d.) West 8 urban design & landscape architecture, The Seventh Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design West 8. (n.d.). Borneo-Sporenburg. Retrieved from http://www.west8.com/projects/urban_design/borneo_sporenburg D. (1970, January 01). Urban theory Borneo Sporenburg masterplan. Retrieved from http://urbantheorywest8amsterdam.blogspot.my/ Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://courses.umass.edu/latour/Netherlands/livingstone/index.html