Within the master plan of Peter Wilson (Bolles + Wilson) for a new center in Amersfoort, Drost + van Veen architects designed a residential building with facilities. In good cooperation with fellow architects, a coherent plan has been developed around the ‘Eemplein’, a square that slowly runs down to the river.

The forty-eight apartments of Drost + van Veen architects are located in a building block between the Eemlaan and the Eemplein. A cinema, commercial facilities and a parking garage are also included in this block. There are two types of apartments: the starters (purchase) homes on the ground floor at the Eemlaan and the three-room rental apartments above the shops. These apartments, which are accessed through a gallery, are situated around a green courtyard.

The facades of the houses form a specialization of the head of the block. The façades have a staggered (sawtooth) façade and have balconies projecting through the façade. As a result, the residents not only look out over the square, but from all the apartments they can also take a look at the Eem from the corner. The facades are a combination of brick surfaces and large fronts of anodised aluminum. The light colored bricks are bricked in a standing bandage and the fronts are bronze and gold in different shades. This creates a nuanced and lively façade that sparkles in the sunlight.

A special part of the design is the courtyard situated on the first floor. A quiet and green oasis, in the middle of the cozy, busy Eemplein.

• PROJECT: EEMPLEIN
• LOCATION: AMERSFOORT
• CLIENT: THE ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT
• ARCHITECT: DROST + VAN VEEN ARCHITECTS
• URBAN PLANNER: PETER WILSON (BOLLES + WILSON)
• REALIZATION: 2013