The new volume of Edition Detail's city series puts a focus on Amsterdam and resents a portrait of the lively architecture scene of the dutch metropolis. The editors Anneke Bokern and Sandra Hofmeister underline the importance of recent housing developments. We publish their introduction of the book.
Delugan Meissl Associated Architects_Eye Filmmuseum, photo: Corinne de Korver
City on the Water
Amsterdam is a trading metropolis. For centuries, it has drawn merchants from around the world. In the 17th century, it was the wealthiest city in Europe; today it remains one of the continent’s key financial centres. Since Brexit, Amsterdam has been home to the European Union’s largest stock exchange. Unsurprisingly, the canal city continues to grow. By 2050, its population is projected to increase around 20 percent compared to 2020, reaching approximately 1.6 million. Yet this rapid growth also presents significant challenges. The city urgently needs to create new housing, but expansion is no longer an option. Environmental and climate considerations further complicate development. While Amsterdam is protected from the sea by sluices and dykes – the last major flooding occurred over a century ago – rising sea levels and more frequent heavy rainfall are reshaping urban planning priorities. Where can new construction take place, and where would it be unwise to build? Amsterdam has repeatedly overcome floods, fires, and plagues – according to legend, the three Xs on the city’s coat of arms symbolise these trials. In 2025, Amsterdam will celebrate its 750th anniversary, taking the occasion to honour its past, present, and future. Over the centuries, the city has reinvented itself many times, yet its most recognisable feature remains the historic city centre, with its concentric canals and merchants’ houses. Most of these buildings have been repurposed multiple times, as transformation and adaptation are integral to urban life. At the same time, new residential districts have continuously emerged through targeted urban expansion, initially forming a semicircle around the canal belt like the growth rings of a tree. In the early 20th century, new housing developments were introduced in the south following a masterplan by Hendrik Petrus Berlage. After the Second World War, large-scale urban growth beyond the present day ring road was guided by a plan developed by Cornelis van Eesteren.
Studio Bremmer, Fedlev Hootsmans Architectuurbureau, Gerrit Rietveld Academie photo: Franziska Mueller Schmidt
With limited land around the city – either densely built up or designated as nature reserves – Amsterdam’s urban development strategy shifted in the 1990s. Instead of outward expansion, the focus turned to densification. The transformation began with the rediscovery of the IJ waterfront, followed by a major push across the river into the Noord district. High-density terraced housing on the Eastern Docklands, along with the Silodam apartment block by MVRDV – a prime example of the SuperDutch movement – garnered international recognition. In the years that followed, further landmark projects were added, including the Stedelijk Museum extension by Benthem Crouwel Architecten, the Sluishuis by Barcode Architects and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), and the Valley highrise complex by MVRDV. Today’s generation of architects has moved away from such grand architectural statements. Instead, undogmatic, participatory approaches are in demand, with longevity a key priority. Within Amsterdam’s experimental yet pragmatic architectural scene, contemporary concepts are anything but conventional, even as some draw inspiration from the expressionist architecture of the Amsterdam School. Transformation projects are embraced without hesitation, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a European leader – not only in housing but also in mobility planning. While canals were once Amsterdam’s primary transport routes, cycle paths have now assumed that role. The city actively promotes cycling, investing in large bicycle parking facilities like the one at Centraal Station. Amsterdam’s mobility transition began as early as the 1980s and has since become a blueprint for cities across Europe and beyond.
Meesvisser, Timber Home on Zeeburgereiland, photo: Lard Buurman
Flexibility and innovation have long defined Amsterdam’s urban development. Over the centuries, dynamism, internationalism, and an open, outward-looking perspective have shapeda building culture that exists in constant dialogue with water, ever in flux.This book presents a vivid portrait of Amsterdam’s contemporary architectural landscape, highlighting both striking architectural milestones and more understated interventions that enhance the city’s liveability in lasting ways. As the editors, we have placed a particular focus on housing, an essential aspect of life in Amsterdam and a pressing issue today. The book documents large-scale residential construction such as the Spaarndammerhart courtyard complex and the Jonas apartment block in the new island district of IJburg, alongside adaptive reuse projects, including the transformation of the former De Voortuinen office tower. Experimental approaches also feature prominently, from the Schoonschip floating community to the conversion of former bridge keepers’ cottages into hotel suites. Interviews with key figures provide deeper insights into the architectural discourse shaping one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. Essays on critical topics – including the impact of tourism and the past, present, and future of cycling infrastructure – round out this portrait of Amsterdam today.
February 2025
Anneke Bokern, Sandra Hofmeister
This text is taken from the following recently released book (page 9-11)
Anneke Bokern, Sandra Hofmeister (edd.), Amsterdam. Urban Architecture and Living Engironments, 25x19,5 cm, Softcover, 312 pages, many illustrations, Edition Detail, München 2025, ISBN: 978-3-95553-652-7
