NL architects cloaks canal-side amsterdam residences in a 'veil' of vegetation

designed by NL architects, ‘klencke’ (or ‘terras op zuid’) is a residential complex with a stepped profile that boasts generously proportioned outdoor spaces. situated in the zuidas, amsterdam’s financial district, the development is strategically located in close proximity to a range of work, retail, and recreational destinations. the building itself mediates between the urbanity to the north and the greenery of the adjacent neighborhood to the south.

all images by marcel van der burg

hidden next to a canal, ‘klencke’ comprises a total of 50 units contained within a stepped profile that ensures optimal exposure for each residence. vegetation grows from planters, which NL architects integrated into the building’s floorplates. the foliage, which has been selected by the residents, cloaks the structure in a natural ‘veil’ of vegetation. access to the building is from the north, where the protruding walkways offer a form of additional shelter.

the development is hidden next to a canal

meanwhile, the south façade, facing the canal, is fully glazed, while the eastern and western elevations display their light grey masonry. the modestly-sized apartments have been designed to feel more spacious than they actually are, thanks to cleverly configured floor plans. a central core contains the wet areas, the kitchen, technical facilities, and storage spaces that allow long sight lines. this layout allows the big windows and large balconies to take center stage.

the residential complex has a distinctly stepped profile

the building mediates between urbanity and the greenery of the adjacent neighborhood to the south

foliage cloaks the structure in a natural ‘veil’ of vegetation

the scheme boasts generously proportioned outdoor spaces

the stepped profile ensures optimal exposure for each residence

the eastern and western elevations display their light grey masonry

the protruding walkways offer a form of additional shelter to the north

the residential building illuminated at night

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project info:

name: klencke or terras op zuid
location: amsterdam, the netherlands
dates: 2013 – 2017
client: NL development
NL architects: pieter bannenberg, walter van dijk, kamiel klaasse
team: gerbrand van oostveen with bobby de graaf, kirsten hüsig, katarina labathova, laura riaño lopez, gert jan machiels, giulia pastore, elsa snyder, jose ramon vives, gen yamamoto
landscape architecture / planting: jos van de lindeloof
structural engineers: 
IMd
mechanical engineers: 
huygen
building physics: 
DPA cauberg huygen
costs: 
VGG
contractor: UBA bouw B.V.