KAAP
The IJ in Between
Where Grasweg meets the Amsterdam-Noord waterfront, KAAP takes its place on the IJ. The project sits in Buiksloterham, a former industrial harbor area now being reworked into a new district through Cityplot Buiksloterham, the urban plan by Studioninedots and DELVA Landscape Architects & Urbanism. Commissioned by AMVEST and COD, KAAP was designed as a collaboration between three offices. We designed Coast and Verde, the two buildings framing the ensemble; Orange Architects designed Horn and York; and NEXT architects designed Blanc and the circular pavilion.
KAAPâs material palette draws from Buiksloterhamâs harbor history, giving each building a distinct presence on the IJ.â
A Waterfront Built in Five Parts
Coast and Verde
Coast and Verde
Glass, black steel, strong horizontal lines, and generous outdoor spaces give Coast and Verde a character rooted in the industrial setting of Buiksloterham. Designed around the shift from city side to water side, the buildings place their entrances on the street side, while balconies, roof terraces, corner glazing, and long views are oriented toward the IJ. The design takes the âmodern harbor loftâ as a starting point: open, flexible layouts, large windows, tactile materials, and an effortless flow between indoor and outdoor space.
Living with Loft Character
Coast and Verde are designed from opposite conditions: Grasweg gives them their entrances and urban side; the IJ gives them their openings, terraces, and views.â
Between Buildings and Water
Between Buildings and Water
Coast and Verde frame the three other residential buildings within the future Oeverpark. At ground level, open space, planting, pedestrian and cycling routes, and the circular hospitality pavilion connect the development to the waterfront. Together, these elements make the site accessible beyond its residents and create a public, recreational layer where people can enjoy the IJ.
