BDES1020 'Continuous City' <Nicolas Locane>

Abstract

I believe that the final design of the Café/Bookshop/Record Store could work well in Amsterdam. The use of the building mostly targets the city’s young demographic, from people on their lunch break, to music lovers and backpackers. The building is a centre for Dutch culture for both residents and tourists. The idea of the building is based on existing café/bookstores in Sydney. The inclusion of a record store stems from a café in Buenos Aires, which combines music records with a coffee shop. The use of semi-levels was inspired by industrial warehouses, which feature the offices and amenities on a mezzanine to maximise storage space. In my opinion, the most successful aspect of the design is the use of semi-levels to separate spaces. By raising and lowering half-levels I was able to create a differentiation between areas without using walls or other elements that might restrict the view. Furthermore, the use of levels instead of walls embeds the interior with a sense of spaciousness. This separation also emphasises the concept of the building in three phases: an outdoor area, an indoor café and lastly a relaxing area at the back. Designing in Amsterdam was an enjoyable yet challenging experience. I chose a site that would present typical building issues associated with the city, such as narrow sites and little natural light and ventilation. I am happy with how the design addresses the need for natural light, especially near the reading areas. However I would have liked to include a method of natural ventilation, as the façade cannot be opened to the exterior. If I were to continue this design further, I would add a rear courtyard to the building, as I believe it would enhance the concept of stages. Nonetheless I am satisfied with my response to the design problem and am positive that it could work in Amsterdam.