How can the vibrant character of Amsterdam-Noord be combined with the tranquillity of nature?
Noordhof 4 & 5
The new Elzenhagen neighbourhood is under construction on Elzenhagensingel, close to the Noord metro station in Amsterdam. De Zwarte Hond designed two residential blocks in collaboration with KRFT and Bovenbouw Architectuur, acting as the coordinating chief architect. Increasing the scale of the project accelerates the process and contributes to affordability within the housing construction challenge. Noordhof 5 is a contemporary residential block offering variety and diversity. Noordhof 4 is a vibrant residential block that combines the energy of Amsterdam-Noord with the tranquillity of nature. Together, they form a varied ensemble of 297 homes, ranging from small studios to large family homes. The buildings’ fine grain of the is in line with the urban development plan, which comprises six large building blocks. These building blocks increase in height towards the Elzenhagensingel, connecting them to the surrounding urban development near the metro station. Each street has its own character: on the north side, for example, there is a dyke street , while the main road through the area has side streets that are partly car-free. On the south side, a cycle path runs alongside the waterfront. This design features large building blocks with a fine grain, referencing the old city’s fine-meshed structure of the old city while ensuring that the buildings remain individually recognizable. The façades display a rich palette of brick patterns, rounded corners and height accents. Inside the homes, great attention has been paid to lighting and to creating spacious private outdoor areas on the street side. There is also a green communal courtyard garden where residents can meet and children can play. The homes use an innovative hybrid thermal energy storage system and rainwater is collected beneath the car park. Greenery and biodiversity integral to the quality of life here, with at least five per cent of the façades covered in vegetation. Noordhof 4 and 5 are therefore more than just a couple of residential blocks: they are an inviting neighbourhood in miniature, a place where residents feel at home from day one.
data
- Location
- Elzenhagen, Amsterdam, NL
- Size
- 33.400 m²
- Client
- gemeente Amsterdam (Jeroen Geurts), CZAN Ontwikkeling (AM en Blauwhoed)
- Discipline
- Architecture, Urban Design
- Program
- Housing
- Period
- 2023-2026
- Status
- In Development
- Partners
- M3H en Arons en Gelauff, KRFT en Bovenbouw Architectuur
Impression Elzenhagen
Elzenhagen: a vibrant urban neighborhood in Amsterdam North
Along the Elzenhagensingel, close to Metro Station Noord in Amsterdam, Elzenhagen is emerging as a lively and diverse neighborhood that combines the energy of Amsterdam North with the calm of green surroundings. The development is taking shape on land that was previously used as sports fields for many years.
Elzenhagen Zuid will become a quiet, green and water-rich residential area. The project is part of the broader development of the new central area of Amsterdam North. The southern neighborhood is located between Elzenhagensingel, Buikslotermeerdijk, and the Nieuwe Purmerweg. The upscaling of the area accelerates development and contributes to affordability within the housing challenge.
Noordhof 4 and 5: rich in variation
Noordhof 4 and 5 were designed by De Zwarte Hond, KRFT, and Bovenbouw Architectuur. By combining different architectural signatures, the residential blocks achieve a rich variety while remaining a natural part of the Elzenhagen neighborhood. Together, the blocks form a diverse ensemble of 297 homes, ranging from small studios to large family houses. The buildings align with the urban plan, in which six large blocks gradually increase in height toward the Elzenhagensingel.
Noordhof 4: Attention to Architecture
Noordhof 4 boasts a unique identity, yet it forms a cohesive whole with the other blocks. The building comprises smaller units characterized by warm colours, rounded shapes and expressive brickwork details. The staggered roofs and sloping façades create a sense of scale and subtly reference the Amsterdam School style. The inviting entrances are carefully designed with refined brickwork details and materials that you simply want to touch.
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Noordhof 5: a layered residential block
Noordhof 5 is a layered residential block in which the large building volume is broken down into smaller segments. This approach aligns with the scale of the Amsterdam street and prevents the building from ever feeling too massive. Along the north façade, the building features a green wall that enhances biodiversity and softens the streetscape.
On the south side, car-free streets open up toward the water, creating pleasant spaces for staying, where children can play and residents can meet. On the north side, a vehicular street provides access to the parking garage. Parking is located on the ground floor but remains out of sight thanks to the elevated, green inner courtyard and the surrounding homes at street level.
The main entrances are designed with everyday use in mind, including generous areas for bicycle storage, in line with the neighborhood’s cycling-friendly character.
Noordhof 5 cross-section
Noordhof 5 Ground floor
Noordhof 5 First floor
Variation and collective living around the courtyard
The mix of housing types makes Noordhof 4 and 5 suitable for a wide range of residents and life stages. Family homes, maisonettes, and apartments alternate, offering flexible layouts with plenty of natural light and outdoor space. Large sliding doors connect living rooms to balconies or terraces, while the family homes feature their own small stoop along the street, a place for a bench and informal encounters with neighbors. At the rear of Noordhof 4, the green inner courtyard provides calm and shelter, like a shared oasis in the heart of the city. In Noordhof 5, the northern entrance leads directly into a generous, green courtyard. The parking garage is discreetly tucked out of sight, creating a quiet, sheltered environment where residents can meet and momentarily step away from the bustle of the city.
Noordhof 4 (NN2) and Noordhof 5 (NZ1)
Collaborating with multiple architects
From an urban planning perspective, it is desirable to have a wide range of variation between the different building blocks. De Zwarte Hond is behind the design of two of these blocks in Elzenhagen, in collaboration with Bovenbouw Architectuur and KRFT. These two ambitious architectural firms have jointly designed approximately half of the façades, creating a rich and varied streetscape. De Zwarte Hond acted as the coordinating chief architect and was responsible for coordinating all the architects, their design elements and the consultants. From the outset, a structural design was drawn up within which the other architects could design their own façades. From the detailed design phase onwards, we brought everything together in a single 3D model so that the project could be built and developed as a whole from a technical perspective. This efficient and inspiring process strengthened mutual cooperation.
