The Schelphoek in Alkmaar is part of the medieval centre situated between the Noordhollands kanaal and the Singelgracht. On this moment the Schelphoek is out of order. The Masterplan Schelphoek describes the transformation to a harbour quarter. Inspiration for the masterplan is the atmosphere of Alkmaar in the 16e century: a lively, compact town centre with a harbour, business activity and housing in a structure of isles and water. We designed a casco block in the water of the Singelgracht and were asked to make a modest design.
The building has the form of a huge dock, facing the water with a covered part. This dock represents the entrance of the building. The dock building represents the entrance of the little harbour. The dock building is 19.5 meter in depth including 32 apartments with free housing plans and a parking in the basement.
On ground floor seven water studios are disclosed from a covered harbour gallery.
On first floor two harbour studios and five harbour lofts are disclosed from two harbour voids and from the central entrance.
On second floor five sun lofts and three panorama lofts are disclosed from the central corridor. The panorama lofts have a very wide harbour view on the north side and a view into the corridor from the kitchen.
On third floor ten sky lofts are disclosed from the central corridor. Five lofts have a central roof light. Five lofts have a light void, with a view into the corridor.
A waterfront gallery leads to the entrance hall at the end. A central corridor connects two harbour voids on first floor. From here, two shortcut stairs connect the voids with the gallery on ground floor. From the corridor, views through the entrance hall and through the harbour voids show the water. The corridor has five roof lights through the voids in the sky loft apartments, accessing direct sunlight into the corridor.
Because the buildings around the dock building are higher, the roof is prepared as a façade. Using the same rhythm as the façade, ten roof windows give a lively view from upwards.
Concept Design
Dock Building, 32 appartements in urban redevelopment area De Schelphoek, Alkmaar NL
Client: BAM Vastgoed BV
Supervisor Masterplan: Urhahn Urban Design BV
Collaborating Architect: urbanoffice, Madir Shah
Building 4450 M2, 23404 M3
32 Apartments 3188 M2 BVO, 4053 M2 Bruto, 17933 M3
parking 1262 M2, 5471 M3
A1 - 5 water studios ground floor - 89,1 M2
A2 - 2 water studios ground floor - 89,1 M2
B1 - 5 harbour lofts first floor – 105,3 M2
B2 - 2 harbour studio’s first floor – 73,7 M2
C1 - 5 sun lofts second floor – 98,2 M2
D1 - 2 panorama lofts second floor – 88,0 M2
D2 - 1 panorama lofts second floor – 129,2 M2
E1 - 2 sky lofts third floor – 124,3 M2
E2 - 2 sky lofts third floor – 111,5 M2
E3 - 1 sky lofts third floor – 105,0 M2
E4 - 5 sky lofts third floor – 103,5 M2