MVRDV completes public venue for amsterdam's IJburg tennis club

MVRDV completes public venue for amsterdam’s IJburg tennis club
all images courtesy of MVRDV

encompassing six artificial islands, IJburg is a new district situated to the east of amsterdam. at present, the region is home to 16,000 residents, however, a series of initiatives have been introduced in order to attract more people to the emerging area. one such scheme is a recently formed tennis club that boasts 10 clay courts and its own sporting academy. the focal point of the complex is ‘the couch’, a sculptural red clubhouse designed by dutch architects MVRDV.

the tennis club boasts 10 clay courts and its own sporting academy

also serving as a viewing platform overlooking the adjacent water, the aim of the club is to be as accessible as possible; meaning that it is open to the public, free of charge, 365 days a year. responding to these requirements, the building functions as a central place of gathering, a living room for IJburg, where the structure becomes an integral part of the growing community.

the scheme also serves as a viewing platform overlooking the water

services — such as dressing rooms, kitchen and storage facilities, and toilets — are allocated at either end of the long open volume, allowing the main space to remain as flexible as possible. the roof dips down towards the south side, and is raised towards the north up to a height of seven meters, creating an informal tribune. the wide glass frontage allows extensive natural lighting and provides a view across the waters of the adjacent IJ-lake.

services are allocated at either end of the long open volume

inside, the concrete construction is clad with FSC-certified wood, with the outside fully sealed with an EPDM polymer, hotsprayed in the same color and texture as the clay tennis courts. the reduced glass surface to the south helps to cool the interior, with natural ventilation systems employed throughout. in winter, the building will be warmed with district energy, made efficient through the use of a heat exchange system.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the clubhouse here.

the roof dips down towards the south side, and is raised towards the north

the structure provides seating for up to 200 spectators

the structure is sealed with an EPDM polymer the same color and texture as the clay courts

the site is a meeting point for all ages, completely accessible to the public 365 days a year

see designboom’s previous coverage of the clubhouse here

project info:

location: amsterdam, the netherlands
client: TC IJburg, amsterdam, the netherlands
program: 322 sqm tennis club and viewing platform
completed: 2015

architects: MVRDV
team: winy maas, jacob van rijs and nathalie de vries with renske van der stoep, pepijn bakker, sanne van der burgh and cristina gonzalo, rosa rogina
co-architect: studio bouwhaven, barendrecht, the netherlands
engineering: ABT, velp, the netherlands
contractor: ballast nedam, nieuwegein, the netherlands