KNOWLEDGE FABRIC
The Binnen Gasthuis, a hidden part of historic Amsterdam has a area of 3.7 Hectare. This Former
orchard, convent and hospital location, is now the heart of the University of Amsterdam, which uses 95% of the buildings.
Characteristically of the area bordered by Nieuwe Doelenstraat, Oude Turfmarkt, Grimburgwal and Slijkstraat, is a closed outer building ring around a series of free standing buildings that define a mix of public , private and semi private courtyards.
Most central in this , lies the Crea Building. Former Surgical Clinic, and now student sorority building , till their planned relocation by the UvA in 2011. Its central location makes it the key point on the site , having a big influence on all the public space and courtyards around it.
THE EXISTING BUILDING
In the design by hospital architect F.W.M. Poggenbeek there are clear signs of its former function.
Smaller windows on the ground level hid the hospital back of house functions from sight and public. The larger windows and ceilings of the higher levels provided abundant light to the sick in the wardrooms.
The symmetrical main façade emphasizes the focus on the central entrance which breaks with the orthogonal grid of ward window openings by introducing one single inviting element. A arched
entranceway. The rest of the closed ground floor level strongly shuts the building of to the outside and public life.
The building is less richly ornamented then its hospital counterparts on the location with only few
natural stone ornaments. But inside the rational character shows a logical and clear support structure and routing. All evidence of the changing possibilities that the 19th century brought in construction and hospital development.
The direction of the Steel floor beams divides the building in clear corridor and function spaces. The L shape of the building furthermore visually embraces the green garden patio, hiding it and only revealing hints of it by means of a bike passage and narrow entrance gate. Passages like this, between open public spaces are characteristic for the Binnen Gasthuis location.
KEEPING THE OLD
The Crea building as a 19th century hospital building gives a unique look into hospital and city history. But as a part of the dynamic Inner city, the multiple transformations in functions from orchard, to convent, to hospital and now as a university have become its strength. Showing flexibility in the location
and buildings. As the city changed and will keep changing, the buildings are adjusted to fit once more.
THE PROPOSAL
The structure is logical and clear adjustments are made to fit the new functions of the library both hiding, exposing and removing parts of the existing building. By extending and adjusting the old building into a combination of old and new. The library acts as a medium and cell in a network of knowledge sharing. The building becomes a new connection between old and new, the present, past and future both physically and in programme as a library
Any historic building with this much potential for reuse is a waste to demolish when it offers so much extra to a new generation. It’s the job of any designer to see possibilities where others see none. All cities adapt and adjust as time passes . To be flexible in a dense urban context is important. Adjustments to inner city buildings constitutes an element of many architects portfolios worldwide. Local authorities are constantly reassessing the use of old buildings? especially in historic city centres.
OUTSIDE SPACE
The addition of a library in this location completes the strong university presence on the site. The adjustment and extension of the existing building enhances the historic courtyard structure.
It improves routing while enhancing the intimacy and uniqueness of this special part of the city.
The library also alters the focus and orientation of the Binnen Gasthuis. The new proposition / proposal now combines the surrounding buildings and their own existing public spaces on the location with a new square.
This new square enhances the connection between the existing UvA buildings. The new square created by the library now becomes part of a series of these existing public spaces. All squares these have a different atmosphere ranging from public to private and from green garden to a more solid urban plaza.
These linked public spaces define the university location in the city and together are the identity of the historic city University of Amsterdam. These linked public spaces weave the university in with the city.
The changing atmospheres and connections of the different squares introduce the visitors gradually to the heart of the University, Its library.
03-11-2008 17:00 Cycling in Amsterdam
Of course there are some basic rules you have to keep in mind when cycling:c
- Crossing of a tram line goes as close to a 90 degree angle as possible
- Have your blinking lights with you at all times (the current fine is 20 Euro per missing light, and keeping them clipped on your jacket or bag, doesn't (yet) cause any fines .)
(Probably I've missed a few of the basics but will elaborate on more later on)
So. you've arrived in Amsterdam and are the proud owner of a traditional dutch city bike.
Mac Bike rentals are red, and therefor you stand out like a peace of roast during a veggie party.
The Amsterdammers now know you are a tourist and this is both a good and a bad thing.
Good , because they know you cannot cycle. Bad because they will test your cycling abilities at any given opportunity.
Example:
You are cycling on a sunny day 'pompie dom, la la la... all fine all beautifully' . And in the distance you see a pedestrian on the sidewalk
The given challenge is to go AROUND the pedestrian and do not stop !. because he or she will start to cross the street when you are .. say.. 50 cm apart.
Fact. When crossing the street by foot, keep walking at a constant speed. Bikes can then calculate your trajectory and go around you.
Do not doubt .. keep walking , never go back !
So, Someone has thrown themselves onto the street right in front of your bike.
What you need to do:
Speed up and with your new found speed swoosh passed him, like a lion just missing his breakfast gazelle.
ironically a main dutch bike brand is called 'gazelle' but in this case , you are the lion, and all pedestrians are lions. You only become the gazelle when taxi's , trams or buses are involved , they are the lions then.
Bike wins from pedestrians
Buses and trams win from bikes
Never stop on the street, this causes a lot of 'ergernis' irritation as you are blocking the already narrow street.
When you want to stop, you slow down a bit , and smoothly turn onto the sidewalk where you part , attached to a tree , fence, or other piece of street furniture (always fix it to something is it gets stole, always fix the front wheel to the bike frame and the object you are attaching your bike to or it gets stolen (the front wheel)
(this hopping onto the sidewalk requires you to briefly jerk your steering wheel upwards to lift the front wheel up, in order not to slam into the edge of the sidewalk). Try this a couple of times in a empty street
Bell use:
I know its nice having a bell to play with. however DON'T. the bell is your main scare instrument that keeps the 'gazelles' from underneath your tires. Long rows of tourists belling their fingers into RSI are not looked onto kindly.
(and therefor will be cut of by locals any opportunity they get. They will try to separate you from your group to make you vulnerable, and then bump into you to get you disoriented. Beware keep up your speed and stay with the group)
You have your bell on your bike at your disposal to warn people you are coming. You need this, because your speed will be to high to stop on time if they suddenly step onto the bike lane.
The right effect will be :
" DING DING .... SWOOSH " or preferably (for the advanced riders)"DING..SWOOSH, or even DI.SWOOSH)
anyway.. Use it when you need only. Constant belling makes the pedestrians get used to it, and the effect reduces (it also drives me crazy).
One of the best pieces of Amsterdam to try out your new found belling abilities is the Damstraat. This is heaven for the 'hunter cyclist' and can be seconds never to forget for the blissfully unaware (tourist)shoppers.
Key to it all is speed (not TO fast or you get yourself killed) not to slow (it makes you look weak)
cruise through the street at a decent DING-SWOOSH-belling speed
The Damstraat starts at the Dam square (already a good test) and as the street continues to Waterlooplein (Waterloo square) it gets more narrow.
While the Damstraat still has cars going through it (which keeps pedestriants a bit under control) the next part (Oude Doelenstraat) is just a two way bikepath, as are the last bits the Oude Hoogstraat and the Nieuwe Hoogstraat. These are the parts where the pedestrians start walking more and more on the street at random and your belling an driving techniques are tested to the limit.
Drive though these streets for .. say 30 minutes and nothing can surprise you anymore. You'll be ready for it all :)
You'll be mastering your belling and curving around sudden pedestrian challenges, and testing your brake and speedup abilities.
At this point its important to have the brakes you are familiar with. If you have never uses a peddle brake before beware, you'll kill pets and the occasional small tourist on your way if you cant brake on time and go to fast
Get used to your break before 'doing' these streets at cruising speed.
Bike paths:
Many roads have marked red / orange bicycle path marking on the sides. But most have it only in ONE side. This does NOT mean you can use this small red strip as a two way bike path. its there to keep the bikes on one side safe. usually you are dealing with a one way street here and are not allowed to go in anyway. If you drive on this small strip against the given traffic direction you will be ignored and almost pushed of it by the oncoming bike traffic. (especially when they see you're a tourist)
Bike paths are not for pedestrians , they are for bikes. if you see a 'Peddie' on your piece of lane, you ring your bell and scare him of it.
Beware of groups of Chinese or Japanese for one reason or another I have found that they are the only group that has a very,, and I mean VERY slow reaction to the bell sound. maybe its genetic , but keep it in mind none the less.
Don't cycle to much in the pedestrian areas this annoys everyone, and is not a fun ride, as your powers are week there. If you want more challenges and confrontations with 'peds' , try the pedestrian crossing of the Kalverstraat and Spui
Best to try this at its peek time between 1400 and 1530h on any given Saturday. The challenges given: most of the people in this shopping street are non locals and will be scarred or you. But because they are in a long group, this makes them more like wildebeests. And before you know it you will be reenacting the scene from 'The Lion king' with you in the role of the father-lion, finding yourself surrounded by the masses of wildebeest. Here again, the trick is to keep moving. Don't just jam yourself into the masses. But as you approach, slow down a bit, take the scene in and find a gap. Then you target, wedge yourself in and keep going! Using some precision bell sounding to scare of the occasional dreamy 'Peddie' in your path.
As mentioned before not all are tourists or day shoppers. some are locals that will use the 'I'm here, I keep on walking' technique . You will need to gracefully swoosh around them not giving them a second look. They don't care. They will hop on their bikes next and do the same while speeding home on their decrepit looking antique cycles, wearing only the faintest of the faintest blinking lights on their bags. And going at speeds you can only hope to once achieve.
Happy cycling
next to come:
How to cycle during winter.
Winter tips and tricks and; 'What do I do if my bike is caught in the tram line and the tram is coming?'
And people: remember the rule : Tram wins from bike and so does garbage truck
