DESA1002 'Continuous City' Rida Khan

Abstract

Building Project Summary My Site is located in downtown Amsterdam and as Amsterdam is the cultural and financial capital of the Netherlands, I thought it apt to design a structure that would complement this notion. Hence my design is for a Gallery/Restaurant, that aims to bring a greater degree of circulation and prosperity to the ‘downtown’ region in which it is situated. My building, titled ‘Amsterdam Kunstwerken’ [in English, ‘Amsterdam Art’] has 2 floors, the ground floor functions as the main gallery and exhibition area, whilst the first floor is utilized as a roof garden and café, along with some art pieces on display in the dining zones of the vicinity. The facade is extremely reactive to the streetscape as glass walls [utilized for exhibiting art pieces] protrude out and into the environment, causing a greater degree of interaction and subsequently, engagement with the people. The glass cabinets exhibit the more ‘unusual’ art pieces, displaying them so that patrons are able to gain an interest in the gallery and thus more likely to stroll in for a quick look around. Indeed, the glass cabinets are retractable, running along sliders fitted into the roof truss [which is also used for hanging the larger pieces of art around the gallery]. Subsequently, the curator is able to change the pieces displayed when necessary by simply sliding the cabinets inside and unlocking them to make alterations in exhibits. Moreover, the cabinets are fitted with white-yellow halogen lamps so that when the gallery is overtaken by night, they will emit light from within, creating a subtle translucent glow encasing the entire gallery. Certainly, the structure is mainly comprised of glass and translucent materials to make maximum use of Amsterdam’s perpetually soft light. A glass elevator leads up from the gallery into a roof top garden where patrons can have a stroll as they head towards the café/exhibit area. Over here quick, light and healthy food is served along with the usual café necessities. As the dining area [enclosed in glazed glass] cantilevers three meters over the street on one side and two meters on the other, the diners can enjoy a full view [whilst remaining relatively unseen by passers-by] of the street and watch life unfold beneath them as they settle in and relax to enjoy good food and fine art, essentially a haven amidst the clutter of the city.