MO*town Track 8 – A more vibrant and cohesive Amsterdam Sloterdijk
The Sloterdijk district of Amsterdam is rapidly transforming from an office area into a vibrant urban neighbourhood. MO*town Track 8, one of the pioneers in this emerging district, is a robust, green and sustainable project consisting of 82 apartments and ground-floor facilities. De Zwarte Hond designed the plan on behalf of BPD and ERA Contour.
Haven-Stad, which includes Sloterdijk, will be transformed into a sustainable and future-oriented district. Haven-Stad will have a high residential density and a diverse mix of functions, such as facilities, green areas and workplaces. By adding more homes, commercial space and community facilities to the former business district, it will become a vibrant place where people can live, meet and feel at home.
A design that fits the neighbourhood
In Sloterdijk, the aim is to create a streetscape that contributes as much as possible to the feeling of a vibrant, mixed-use city neighbourhood. The visual quality is based on having as many differences and contrasts as possible between the buildings: high next to low, light next to dark, rough next to smooth, open next to closed. MO*town Track 8 is surrounded by towers of different colours and heights. The carefully stepped, dark and glossy façade gives the building a monumentality that is needed in this important area of the city. The building consists of three tapered, higher volumes, connected by galleries and walkways. This creates a sense of openness and allows for moments of contact from the top floor to the street.
Interaction: No loneliness!
The design is all about social connection and is inspired by the ‘People attract People’ principle. The aim: to bring residents together, let them meet and form a close-knit community. The stepped building form, steel walkways and communal gardens invite contact and provide attractive places to stay. This playful design, with varied dwelling sizes and a mix of target groups, enhances the feeling of living together and promotes neighbourhood formation.
Focus on sustainability, biodiversity and rainwater harvesting
MO*town Track 8 embodies Haven-Stad’s progressive sustainability ambitions. Greenery is an integral part of the design on all floors: from communal gardens to façade containers, pre-cultivated and delivered ready-made. In the basement, a 260 m³ basin collects rainwater for watering, ensuring that the greenery gets enough water even in drought conditions. Sustainability is central to Motwon: solar cells in the glass balustrades generate energy, Sloterdijk station is within walking distance, and the car park offers space for bicycles and 30 shared cars, among other things. This smart concept promotes car-sharing and reduces the use of private cars.
With its focus on architecture, sustainability and community building, MO*town Track 8 contributes to the transformation of Sloterdijk into a vibrant residential area.