De Loodsen

In the series of new buildings along the IJ harbour, there is a sub-plan called De Loodsen which forms the link between the western and eastern sides of this urban development. The ensemble comprises six towers in eleven layers with a slab of five layers along the harbour. Two of the towers - apartment blocks - are the corners of the plan on the city side. This is a highly urbanised context in which both corner towers have been developed as shells, thus giving the letting company maximum flexibility in dividing up each floor. The towers are worked out as separate, but at the same time related, buildings. They differ from each other in terms of their position, volume and the rhythm of the windows. However, they are related in expression: the horizontal concrete railing and the eloquent brickwork. The robust character of these buildings harks back to the warehouse buildings which have determined the appearance of the area for so long.