Bajes Kwartier
In Amsterdam a new vertical city is arising in the new Bajes Kwartier (Prison Quarter). Within OMA’s (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) urban development plan, Moke Architecten are creating a building nearly 100 meters long and 12 floors high. It has a vibrant concrete façade and a dynamic relief of living rooms and terraces. Students, tourists and local residents meet in the collective ground floor and in the little park overlooking the Bajeswater, a picturesque water feature.
Programme
284 student apartments
200 hotel rooms, hospitality spaces
Surface
20.000 m²
Architect
Ludo Grooteman
Team
Sietske van der Meulen, Mark Spijkerman, Bram Ruarus, Koen van Hoof, Joël Swaab
Year
2019 – 2023
Status
Completed
Location
Amsterdam
Client
Hotel Jansen, Alliantie
Construction
Van Rossum
Building pysics
DGMR
Installations
Hamelrt, Techniplan, Linthorst Techniek
Photographer
Thijs Wolzak
Interior design
Fiction Factory, Monk
Contractor
Heddes
Meeting ground
The plinth is where all local residents come together, including the students of the school across the road and the new residents of Amsterdam that come here to study for short or long periods. Especially popular are the social areas for students and Mama’s, Hotel Jansen’s social café-restaurant with its study places, laundry bar, recreation room, and terrace.
Living rooms in the hotel
In Hotel Jansen, the rooms are arranged around gorgeous living rooms with splendid views. The living rooms are double-height and feature wood panelling, a spacious kitchen and a large dining table. This is where hallway neighbours meet.
Vibrant student housing
The student apartments are situated on the south side of the building, around double-height exterior areas that form gaps in the façade. Plants climb the walls of the terraces, where students meet at picnic benches and tables. At night, these social spaces are illuminated, creating the scene of a living cityscape. The façade looks like a bustling vertical city, where residents live, study, relax, and meet.
Warden’s Park
In front of the building, a small park will be created, where the foundations of the old warden’s houses are still visible. Right next to Mama’s terrace, and overlooking the Bajeswater, local residents will gather to play football or relax.