Sluishuis: the new gateway to Amsterdam

BIG and Barcode Architects have been appointed to build the new gateway to Amsterdam. Named Sluishuis, the 46,000-square-meter mixed-use building will create a landmark in the emerging IJburg district, connecting it to harbor areas near the historic city center.

The city of Amsterdam has retained the team led by Vorm / Besix to build the iconic Sluishuis in IJburg Steigereiland, an emerging district of the Dutch capital. The winning offer, developed by BIG and Barcode Architects, was unveiled today. Sluishuis will be the keystone of the new neighborhood with 380 carbon neutral residences, 4,000 square meters of commercial and public spaces, 240 underground parking spaces and a marina for 30 barges.

On the water side, the building is raised and forms a large opening that brings water from Lake IJ into the yard and promotes daylight. On the side of the neighboring Urabin district, the block descends like a cascade of terraces creating a natural transition between urban landscape and natural environment. A pedestrian walk winds around the building to the water forming an archipelago of islands housing barges, a sailing school and flourishing gardens. A public passage climbs over the cascading terraces to the roof where there is a viewing platform overlooking Lake IJ.