SAFARI | ARCHITECTENZAAK

The fragmented facade design is based on the character of eroded stone facades of old monuments. The entirely white monolith building becomes a pleasant natural character by applying three different textures in the façade cladding. This way the robust building reacts on the fluctuating incidence of light in a soft way and presents itself as a sparkling diamond. The area (called ‘Bisonspoor’) is characterized by different worlds. There’s the center with desolate stacked-apartment buildings and stony public space but also green and residential areas that are rich with water. The new multifunctional accommodation is developed on the corner of the inner ring, flanking a residential area. A prominent square is realized on the side of the center. On the side of the residential area the volume is scaled down to connect with two story housing. The greenery and water are maintained. The apartments in the Safari building are placed on the side of the entrance square. By beveling the building mass the contact between the housing and center side is strengthened. The building is big and stony on the square side and soft and green on the residential side. The swimming pool is placed on the south side next to the canal like a boat in the water. Large glass walls provide spacious insights. By applying and folding a green roof the building forms an articulated mass that doesn’t get colossal. The high housing block shapes a prominent landmark toward the shopping area. On the square side a corner of the building is cut. The covered space shapes a distinct entrance at the square. Grand window façades give an inviting look on the interior world. Inside the Multifunctional Accomodation the contact with the users is enhanced through the many glass walls and a broad shared stairway. The housing contains five floors. The apartments enclose a central atrium. In this atrium an inner world is designed with meeting- and living areas. The atmosphere is open, light and green. Surrounding the atrium hanging gardens provide a healthy interior climate. The ‘MFA’ is designed with a lot of attention to sustainability and energy-safety. Heat pumps and sun boilers are implemented for energy generation and energy-safe LED lightning and green moss roofing for water buffering and absorbing fine dust. The facades contain a white cladding of reinforced glass fibre concrete panels. The glass fibre provides a larger surface density because of the micro reinforcements placed until the outer borders the panels and protect against pollution.