Bicycle itinerary for Amsterdam to see the MVRDV architecture, from the Hotel Lloyd, in Borneo 12 18, up to Wozoko, read the post to get all the information to organize the tour.
I want to accompany you to discover the MVRDV architectures, an architecture firm based in Rotterdam, which in my opinion best represents Dutch modern architectural culture.
First, get yourself one bike. In general and especially for this ride, Amsterdam should be visited on two wheels.
Silodam
Head towards the port, to the west, here you will find the first architecture that I recommend you visit: a large residential block on the water reminiscent of containers stacked at ports for the transport of goods. I know it's very bad, but it's as bad as it is interesting. Residents can dock the boat directly at the foot of the building and inside they can enjoy a privileged view of the sea. It is also a very social building: there is a vast typology of housing that guarantees a social mix of users, a part is even destined for public housing. In addition, common areas have been created, all colored, to be used as small reading rooms, children's play areas, relaxation areas.
It is such a popular project that a committee of residents has decided to organize guided tours of the building to raise awareness of this reality. With only three euros you can have an unusual travel experience.
So, third: write to this address excursie@silodam.org e book your visit, You will not regret it!
We were accompanied on the tour by Luc Gheysens He was a splendid guide: we were able to visit his apartment and the labyrinthine internal corridors that connect the various housing units, we saw the ingenious system for parking cars in operation, finally on the roof terrace we listened to an explanation with the past and the future expansion of the port of Amsterdam. Obviously the tour is in English, but the Dutch, not being native speakers, speak a very clear international English, we understood everything and in the end we were thrilled for the experience
Lloyd Hotel
Pedaling from west to east you will find another architecture of theirs, a former hotel then converted into a prison and now, after a restoration that has revolutionized the interiors, still hotels. As in the silodam, there has been a focus on social issues: it is a hotel for everyone, therefore with very cheap rooms and luxury suites.
Of course I would recommend you to stay there directly, it is not really in a central area, but I find it a great location to visit everything. A gem, if you mention MVRDV in the reservation, they will give you the 15% discount! If it does not inspire you as a base for your tour, you can still visit it by writing to the hotel's email address, from time to time they organize visits to make the structure known. Unfortunately, I woke up too late and was unable to book either the room or the visit .. I'll have to sacrifice myself and go back to Amsterdam!
Borneo 12 18
Continuing east, 5 minutes by bike, you will arrive in one residential area built in the 90s very characteristic: terraced houses, narrow and high in typical Dutch style, overlooking on one side the public road, on the other side the artificial canals. The neighborhood is quiet, elegant, walking through the streets gave me the idea of an ideal place to live. All the cottages are attention to detail and think well, but among all the two of MVRDV stand out, look at the images and have fun looking for them, you will not struggle! :)
Wozoko
To visit this architecture you will have to be super motivated, it is about 15 minutes by bike outside the center, in my opinion it's worth it (yes, I know, I'm biased). I give you one more motivation to go: you will realize how the development of cycle paths is widespread even outside the city center.
Wozoko it is a residential building for the elderly so, not being a public building, you cannot visit the inside, but I can guarantee you that you can be satisfied with that: from a central body there are cantilevered parts of enormous dimensions, not to be to believe. A lot of times I've seen it in photography and in architecture books, but seeing it live is truly impressive! The fact that gives greater value to this project is that it was not created for the pure pleasure of overcoming a limit or for an aesthetic intuition, but in order not to occupy the ground excessively and to multiply the views to be exploited for housing. In addition it was their first residential building to be built, to face a project like this I would have had a heart attack just thinking about it!
Buona visited!
