People engage and see public space differently not necessarily on a continent-to-continent basis, but predominantly on a latitude and longitude basis. The images below either support or discount this theory. They are the contribution of our students abroad in Amsterdam, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon, etc.
Evident in each of the projects shown below, their design details and materials palette, is the cultural and life-experiences lexicon innate and particular to each designer.
Evident in each of the projects shown below, their design details and materials palette, is the cultural and life-experiences lexicon innate and particular to each designer.
Neighborhood Oost, Amsterdam, NL
Neighborhood Oost
Latitude and Longitude: 52°21'22.38"N, 4°55'08.40"E
Photos By: Chelsea Andersson
The neighborhood of Oost is extraordinarily unique in Amsterdam. Normally drowning in a sea of tall dutch blondes, Oost is the one place where you can blend in as an expat like myself. It is a place where culture blends like oil and water, but works just the same. The many cultures that thrive in Oost are a direct result of the Dutch East India trading company’s many colonies. Dutch, Surinamese, Indian, Turkish, and Indonesian communities call this neighborhood home. They bring with them a unique way of life that is amiss in all other parts of the city.
Like NYC’s little Italy or China town, these communities have built a space that reflects their culture and needs. The design of this neighborhood is representative of that. Similar to Amsterdam’s many other canal buildings, the homes of Oost are narrow with yardless facades. The space on the street would be wasted on them. Instead, spacious courtyards between buildings, parks, and corner plazas come into play. It is in these shared spaces that culture comes to life. More so, I think, than any where else in Amsterdam.
The plazas are always more crowded. They’re packed with games and children. Songs are played and conversations held, but dutch isn’t always the language of choice.
Oosterpark, Oost’s main cultural hub, transforms in the morning. A jungle gym for kids becomes a pull up bar for adults, a gazebo in the water is a platform for yoga, an ampitheatre hosts a group practicing tae kwon do, and the rose gardens are the track for a few crossfit enthusiasts. Everyone seems to find a way to transform this simple space into a site that uniquley suits their needs.
From my balcony I heard a loud ceremonial drum pounding. I followed it through to the street where a turkish bride processed down the rainy sidewalk. The courtyard was filled with family and friends dancing, sharing meals, and making music.
There is something I truly love about Oost. It exists and thrives all on its own in this city. The residents make use of spaces that other neighborhoods would forget about. Their mix of cultures blend, and clash, and spice up the traditional dutch ways.
Below are tiles from the neighborhood pavement.
Latitude and Longitude: 52°21'22.38"N, 4°55'08.40"E
Photos By: Chelsea Andersson
The neighborhood of Oost is extraordinarily unique in Amsterdam. Normally drowning in a sea of tall dutch blondes, Oost is the one place where you can blend in as an expat like myself. It is a place where culture blends like oil and water, but works just the same. The many cultures that thrive in Oost are a direct result of the Dutch East India trading company’s many colonies. Dutch, Surinamese, Indian, Turkish, and Indonesian communities call this neighborhood home. They bring with them a unique way of life that is amiss in all other parts of the city.
Like NYC’s little Italy or China town, these communities have built a space that reflects their culture and needs. The design of this neighborhood is representative of that. Similar to Amsterdam’s many other canal buildings, the homes of Oost are narrow with yardless facades. The space on the street would be wasted on them. Instead, spacious courtyards between buildings, parks, and corner plazas come into play. It is in these shared spaces that culture comes to life. More so, I think, than any where else in Amsterdam.
The plazas are always more crowded. They’re packed with games and children. Songs are played and conversations held, but dutch isn’t always the language of choice.
Oosterpark, Oost’s main cultural hub, transforms in the morning. A jungle gym for kids becomes a pull up bar for adults, a gazebo in the water is a platform for yoga, an ampitheatre hosts a group practicing tae kwon do, and the rose gardens are the track for a few crossfit enthusiasts. Everyone seems to find a way to transform this simple space into a site that uniquley suits their needs.
From my balcony I heard a loud ceremonial drum pounding. I followed it through to the street where a turkish bride processed down the rainy sidewalk. The courtyard was filled with family and friends dancing, sharing meals, and making music.
There is something I truly love about Oost. It exists and thrives all on its own in this city. The residents make use of spaces that other neighborhoods would forget about. Their mix of cultures blend, and clash, and spice up the traditional dutch ways.
Below are tiles from the neighborhood pavement.
Westergasfabriek Cultuurpark, Amsterdam, NL
Latitude-Longitute: 52.386680, 48.74357
Photos by: Kristine Pedersen
These images were taken within a section of Westergasfabriek Cultuurpark. This plaza area is adjacent to the main car entrance lot and garden.
Photos by: Kristine Pedersen
These images were taken within a section of Westergasfabriek Cultuurpark. This plaza area is adjacent to the main car entrance lot and garden.
