Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Architect: Mulders van den Berk Architects.

Mulders vandenBerk Architects have designed a new youth centre in Amsterdam-North, located at the beginning of the new North-South subway line. The interior was designed in collaboration with local youth, and the space is positioned under the main street ‘Nieuwe Leeuwarderweg’. The challenge was to create a versatile space for the local youth, as the space is relatively deep and only has two windows under the highway. An open plan was designed with secondary functions such as storage, toilets, and a sound studio placed in separate volumes free in the open space. Steel window frames were designed with a reference to former stained glass windows, and the many different frames behind each other seem to connect and react to the shape of the different orange volumes. The space can be used in many different ways, with hidden places and open spaces, long views, and closed off spaces. The volumes are covered with a robust orange coating to stand out in the grey surrounding. A big vide is located right behind the entrance, resulting in a good oversight for the staff, and the wide staircase can be used as a tribune.

Photo credit: Stijn Poelstra.