REM eiland
completed
2011
responsibilities
renovation & expansion design
programme
661 sqm, 4 decks
location
amsterdam, nl
completed
2011
responsibilities
renovation & expansion design
programme
661 sqm, 4 decks
location
amsterdam, nl
Located in the Houthavens in Amsterdam, REM island consists of an office function, restaurant and sunterrace. It plays an active role in promoting the harbour and the new adjacent residential area. The project began in 2007, when hospitality entrepreneur Nick van Loon approached Concrete with an idea for the REM Island in the river IJ. A year later, in collaboration with housing corporation 'De Principaal', the concept was brought to life: Concrete designed the renovation and expansion, while Nick Van Loon designed the interior.
the structure
The distinctive red and white-checkered building rests on 12-metre high columns, placed 15 metres off shore. A steel footbridge leads up to the building, first running beneath the island before guiding visitors through its enormous steel construction.
The walkway splits in two: one path leads to the elevator, the other to a staircase winding up along the northeast side, connecting each deck and the roof terrace along the way.
To reach the 12-metre-high island, a new lift has been added that hangs from the existing structure and floats above the water. Combined with new platforms and staircases, it creates a carefully choreographed route from the waterfront up onto the island. As visitors ascend, the staircases shift direction, continually opening up new views of the harbour, the river IJ and the city, before finally arriving at the restaurant at the top.
old meets new
The red and white-checkered pattern continues onto the new top floor. The red parts of the façade are solid, while the white parts are filled with large glass windows. Characteristic original details have been preserved and reused; the long external footbridges, large signal lights and lifeboat have all been placed back on the island.
The new story was added on the former helicopter platform, following the same grid as the existing structure, with large parts of the façade and columns welded on site to create a subtle transition between old and new. Staircases, landings and research platforms were mostly reused, so the island retains its original atmosphere.
a beacon for the neighbourhood
When Concrete started designing the REM-island in its new location, the Houthavens barely existed as a neighbourhood yet. The area, where cargo ships once unloaded timber from across the world, was about to be transformed into seven green residential islands in the IJ, with more than 2,000 homes, schools, a hotel, and a climate-neutral plan for the entire district. The REM-island became a recreational anchor that could keep the area alive during redevelopment, drawing people to a part of Amsterdam that was still finding its shape.
through the decks
Deck 1 houses the office, wrapped in large glass panels that open up wide views over the river IJ, the Houthavens and the city. A bypass lets visitors walk all the way around. Above, the restaurant spreads across decks 2 and 3. Deck 2 opens onto a sun terrace through large steel pivoting doors in the white façade, connecting the bar inside to the outside air. A wide staircase then leads through a void up to deck 3, where the former helipad is now surrounded by glass sliding doors and a terrace that wraps around it.
built with care
When concrete began designing the new REM Eiland, the Houthavens was still a neighbourhood in the making. Once a hub for international timber trade, the area was set to become a climate-neutral district of seven residential islands. The REM Eiland was envisioned as a recreational anchor to bring life to this developing part of Amsterdam.
Supported by the Port of Amsterdam and housing corporation De Principaal, the project also served a social purpose. The structure was renovated and rebuilt at a shipyard in Delfzijl, where, under professional guidance, people with a distance to the labour market and students from vocational schools worked together to give this landmark a new life.
facts & figures
total area 661 sqm
deck 1 265 sqm office function
deck 2 396 sq restaurant
deck 4 sunterrace
concrete
responsibilities renovation and expansion design
team erikjan vermeulen, rob wagemans, wouter slot, jolijn valk, bram de maat
partners & collaborators
client de principaal amsterdam, nl
interior design nick van loon, nl
contractor heuvelman-ibis bv, nl
structural engineer abt delft, nl
photography ewout huibers and jim ellam
awards
arc awards winner best netherlands category
mies van der rohe award finalist european union prize for contemporary architecture
