Holland Park

In recent years, the former Bergwijkpark office location in Diemen has been transformed into the Holland Park residential area. Here, ten hectares of office space have made way for a high-rise residential development with 3,100 flats and catering facilities.

Within 10 minutes distance from the centre of Amsterdam, Holland Park has become a model project for the transformation of office environments into dense urban living environments. The design focuses on diversity in architecture, a mix of functions, social safety, and good outdoor spaces with a recognizable identity. It is a layered plan that brings together the design of landscape structures, quays, parks, squares, streets, roof gardens, and walking routes to the nearby metro station, Diemen Vijver, and the Diemen Zuid student campus.

The urban planning principles were drawn up by Sjoerd Soeters (PPHP) and assume that squares and spaces will be surrounded by buildings. The choice has been made to allow pedestrians, cyclists, and cars to use the same space in public, while being mindful of each other. The materialization is restrained and of high quality, counterbalancing the multifaceted architecture. During the design and implementation, much attention is paid to detail, paving patterns, and connections. The range of plants was adapted to the water-rich or introverted character of the yards of the building blocks and strengthens the identity.

The partially present canal structure, the central park, and the green structure of the Bergwijkdreef are designed as robust landscape carriers. Within this structure, residential areas with different characters will be introduced. The area with waterfront residences is characterised by quays and bridges. This is in contrast with the areas characterised as yards have an introverted character. At two central locations in the area, squares where people can meet up are created and these have a strong relationship with the water. The largest square also borders the central park. In the future, the park will form the link between Holland Park’s current developments and the future transformation of the western part of Bergwijkpark.

There are 25 bridges within the Holland Park plan, including ten road bridges, nine pedestrian bridges, and one pedestrian/cycle bridge. Karres en Brands has developed a vision of a family of bridges for all the bridges within Holland Park. The different bridges are from the same ‘family’, but have their own appearance depending on function and/or location.