project18:Challenge
NDSM ECOSYSTEM
Functional diversity of the site
NDSM has a wide variety of functions and users.
Connections with the city
Connection 1: NDSM serves as a transport hub, especially for Amsterdam Noord inhabitants
Connection 2: Visual connections with the site
Context of the site
NDSM, as a former shipyard, has affected significantly the neighbourhood and the site itself. Surrounding residential estates were built to accomodate workers, who still feel strongly connected to their former workplace and keep visiting the site and stay in touch with each other. NDSM's past is also expressed in a more tangible way - not only because of remaining shipyard buildings, cranes and docks, but also in naming the streets.
Because of the function, the site has also specific climatic characteristics - such as water of the IJ river surrounding the place or the strong wind, that didn't bother in the industrial area.
http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Amsterdam/forecasts/latest
Empty spaces in between
As shown in the results of the survey, most people on the site are just passing by. At this moment NDSM is not attractive enough for them to spend some time and see what the site has to offer. In combination with wind, scattered functions and buildings and lack of proper information, NDSM is still a place that does not attract broader public.
POSSIBILITIES
The following elements of the NDSM ecosystem will be taken into consideration:
CONCEPT
The windcatcher is a ribbon, which roughly follows the embankment. It does not run around the whole site - it's connected to the ferry platform on the west side and starts over in the eastern part from the wharf. The windcatcher is visible from the other side of the river IJ and at the same time frames the vast view on the city centre and the industrial area around.
The main purpose of the project is to attract new people to the NDSM site (lights luring them to see what is going on in there) and provide them with an enjoyable space for walking and relaxing. It would provide the connection between the "commercial" and "artistic" parts of the site, making it more pleasant to get from place to place in NDSM. The sheltered communal space would also give an opportunity to the local residents to explore the site and be able to relax close to home.
It also breaks strong western wind characteristic for Amsterdam and uses it to create an aesthetic experience for the by-passers and people walking on the boardwalk.
