matthijs la roi proposes vibrant blue observatory tower in amsterdam

situated within the new sluisbuurt neighborhood in amsterdam, blauw is a proposal for a 16-meter tall public observatory tower designed by matthijs la roi architects. the project is one of the five shortlisted submissions of competition seeking a public artwork to be placed within the area; a new development currently under construction on the east side of the city.

all images courtesy of matthijs la roi architects

this new high-density district will allow for towers to be build up to 125 meters, previously unheard of in the mainly lowrise city of amsterdam. the artwork by matthijs la roi architects would be the first build project located in the new neighborhood. blauw means blue in dutch and is a reference to the color of the sky and water in the particular site. the vibrant tone will act as a beacon for the ambitious sluisbuurt neighborhood that will soon emerge.

the project consists of a series of slightly shifted stacked boxes and stairs, generating an escher-like composition. various balconies and windows will frame perspectives to nearby location like the oosterdokseiland, the ijburg, and the ij river. the structure is planned to be constructed with timber, while reclaimed wood will be used for the cladding.

in the brief, the municipality asked for a temporary project which will be dismantled after five years. blauw has the ability to disassemble into separate pavilions that can be distributed throughout the five neighbourhoods of the zeeburgereiland. during workshops with local citizens and businesses, new functions will be developed for the separate structures. potential functions include a community library, playground equipment, or a bird observatory. 

project info:

name: blauw
architecture office: matthijs la roi architects

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom