zU

Floating Pavilion

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2022

Architecture  :

zU-studio architecture

Javier Zubiria

Structural Engineering  :  ARUP 

Developer: Kaap de Groene Hoop

Constructor: Woodies at Berlin. Huib Koel

Steel Structure : Helldorfer Arnhem

Photos: Iwan Baan

01 Context . NDSM , a place for makers

The pavilion designed by zU-studio architecture and developed by Kaap de Groene Hoop, has arrived to Amsterdam after being built in Arnhem.

As part of “Kaap de Groene Hoop” / “The Green hope”, a new harbour that is being built at the NDSM and also as part of “Made Up North” an initiative by a group of people trying to promote new projects in order to preserve local craftmanship on this area,  this new Project aims to create a nice floating experience at a place historically well known for being one of the biggest  shipyards of the world during 1920 to 1980.

In the last years, this place has become an interesting creative scenario for artists, designers, architects, engineers, etc from all over the world, where many innovative and creative experiments are happening.

zU-studio was invited to design a pavilion and the condition was to build it on top of an old Dortmunder Ship.

The contrast between the old ship and a totally new and contemporary structure , was the driving force of the Project.

“Ships are transporting containers, but they can also transport art pieces or sculptures”

That was the quote or idea that has been used to convince local authorities about the clear vision of this Project, instead of just building some containers on top of the ship.

The design team considered interesting to reflect on the movement of the ships among different countries and continents,and also the mercancy being transported. The idea has been to build an abstract shape on top of the ship, an art piece or scupture that could be transported from one country to another, trying to create brigdes between cultures.

02   Inspired by Richard Serra´s Sculpture in Museumplein

The structure, formed by thin walls disposed in different angles, is inspired by Richard Serra´s sculpture (Sight point) in Museumplein in Amsterdam, where three walls are supporting each other creating a vertical tower, leaving interesting gaps between each other and creating a nice triangle on top.

The pavilion is  the horizontal version of the sculpture in Museumplein. Five different roofs , each around 13 m. long (Serra´s sculpture is coincidentally 13 m. high)

 This new geometry combining triangles and a central diamond shape roof, generates different areas  interconnected with each other and opens up to the IJ Water and beautiful views of the City from the Harbour.

The disposition of the structural walls are creating a continuous space on the groundfloor, an exciting circulation around them while discovering the different areas and the visual relation between them, the five roofs are built at different heights delineating the different living areas.

The structure has been conceived to create depth , some walls are facade, others are inner walls, different layers that aims to generate curiosity in people to be discovered. The building will look different from all the different perspectives, it will look transparent and open from certain views, but solid and opaque from others.

The space is in constant tranformation, the light that comes through the windows, the skylights and the gaps between the platforms changes every moment.

03 The Program . Pop Up Pavilion for summer 2020 , high end restaurant 2021

The celebration of the transformation process, by giving different uses to a construction site .

During summer, when the pavilion is rough and unfinished ,it is just a sculpture on top of a ship, but already a platform where people can explore different activities, a stage open to the citizens.

Performances, meditation classes, talks, prívate dinners,… will be hosted on the pavilion during summer 2020.

Meanwhile, the Project will be completed and all the interiors will be done, to accomodate the future use of a high end restaurant.

The idea is to build a space that invites people to be explored. Once you enter the new construction, you see different spaces, divided by walls, different roof platforms allowing the natural light come in through the gaps between them and you need to walk through to discover all the different areas. The modern open kitchen will be located on the old ship´s wheel house where the chef´s will be working and welcoming the guests. On top of this new entrance a triangular skylight will bring the light to this space . The bar, five different dining areas, the central atrium and the terrace will be the different spaces conforming the new floating experience.

The new structure has been thought to act as a stage for special water festivals and events.

The main challenge is to build an specific atmopshere where people can enjoy the history of that very special place on a new exciting way.

The building has been designed to fit in the context. Delicate and quiet, but very elegant .

It will be entirely build in steel, and the interior furniture pieces will be taylor made specifically for the project. All the interior will be warmer and cozier with wooden tables and chairs.

The traditional ship building construction technique combined with a very futuristic approach to spatial experience.