Zuiderkerk Amsterdam
In order to provide better service to people looking for a home, the Municipal Housing Service sought a central location in Amsterdam for a service desk and call centre. The landmark church Zuiderkerk was selected. Designed by Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621), this was the first church in Amsterdam specifically built for the officially adopted Reformed faith. The assignment was to provide a contemporary interior to serve a new public within this historic environment. A public seeking advise about housing and living in Amsterdam. A service desk, call centre and back office provided this information untill 2011. On the mezzanine above, expositions showed future city developments.
The long nave with its lofty church windows and sky blue barrel vault is preserved as the largest public space in the neighbourhood. The side aisles are filled in with glass partitions to retain the spatial quality of the church. All new construction is made of steel and glass with minimal detailing. By showing respect, the new blends in with four centuries of history.
Function | Industrial / Cultural |
Status | Realized |
Client |
Stedelijke Woningdienst, Amsterdam |
Location |
Gravenmakersplein, Amsterdam |
Project architect |
Hans van Heeswijk |
Project team |
Floris van Gennep, Hans van Heeswijk, Rutger van der Meer, Meike Stoetser, Joost Woertman |
Start |
1998 |
Completed |
2000 |
Downloads
pdf
|
herinrichting-zuiderkerk-brochure.pdf |