stamford urby

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completed

october 2021

responsibilities

architecture & interior design

programme

651 apartments

location

stamford, us

Stamford Urby was the 4th Urby to open in the family. With its 651 rental apartments in the typical Urby dimensions: small, medium, large, together with extensive communal and public facilities and programming to foster interaction between the residents and the neighborhood.

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filling the gaps

Set on a triangular site at the busy intersection of Tresser Boulevard and Greyrock Place, the location stood vacant for over 30 years, locally known as the “hole in the ground.” The project reactivates the site by closing both historical and architectural gaps, introducing a vibrant, human-scaled environment in the city center. A composition of nine buildings forms a lively streetscape around a lush communal courtyard, creating an urban oasis within a dense context.

The composition of smaller volumes with diverse façades introduces a more human scale, mediating between the adjacent residential neighborhood and the larger office and retail developments. Along the surrounding roads, landscaped zones with public seating form a buffer between the apartments and heavy traffic, while creating a gradual transition from public to private space.

the urban oasis

In contrast to the busy city, the communal courtyard is designed as an urban oasis, enclosed by the surrounding building volumes. At its center, a gym pavilion with a rooftop pool and landscaped steps doubles as a stage for events and performances. Designed by landscape architect Bas Smets, a dense bamboo garden weaves through the space, with pathways connecting entrances, amenities, and gathering areas. Reading corners, BBQ spots, and lounge areas are carved into the greenery, while a communal kitchen and future work-from-home studio further activate the space. A dedicated cultural program brings residents and neighbors together through events focused on food, health, and culture.

The gym building in the heart of the courtyard, cladded in wood and glass, has a rounded shape to fit naturally in its place, following the shape of the yard. Among other facilities, the gym has a large indoor boot camp workout area that extents into the exteriors for outdoor exercise.

Hey Stamford Stamford Urby Courtyard Aerial1

the urby entrance is characterized by the shape of a house, creating an instant feeling of home

From the landscaped entrance plaza both the cafe and the main entrance can be reached. The double height lobby is filled with seats and places to work for the residents, with two 20 ft high walls cladded with a collage of second-hand doors, personalizing the space by referring to each individual living in the building. Through large glass walls the landscaped entrance plaza and the lush courtyard are visually and physically connected. The residents lobby is seamlessly connected to the public accessible cafe, a double height space filled with 4 wooden houses creating separate intimate seating and working corners. Along the facades a green installation has been created to extend nature into the building, connecting the entrance plaza and the courtyard, and providing cozy seats in the green.

creating a sense of home

Along the perimeter of the court, the Communal Kitchen is a double height house-shaped wooden space, carved into one of the building blocks. Again, creating a sense of home, while large doors are connected to a pergola covered terrace and BBQ place, to house interior and exterior food related events with guest chefs for and with the residents.

the apartments

Stamford Urby apartments are available in S, M and L. Compact in size to keep monthly rates down, all apartments feel relatively large and spacious thanks to the clever use of the available square footage, big windows and bright lighting plans. With plenty of built-in storage space, fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms, plus pre-installed Wi-Fi, Urby apartments set a new standard in ready-to-move-in rental housing.

facts & figures

total apartments 651
retail area 350 sqm
communal garden 5110 sqm
public spaces entrance café, living room and terrace
communal spaces communal kitchen, gym, yoga room, sound studio
communal outdoor spaces with pool deck, fire pit lounge, play area, bbq stations, terrace communal kitchen and woof garden

partners & collaborators

client urby, us
executive architect minno & wasko, us
landscape design courtyard bureau bas smets, be
executive landscape architect mellilo and bauer, us
general contractor katerra construction company, us
bespoke furniture designed by concrete, executed by roord, nl
marble filtered water fountain designed by concrete, executed by tomcap engineering
photography ewout huibers
painted mural cafe jenna snyder-phillips, us

concrete

responsibilities architecture & interior design
team erikjan vermeulen, iwan hameleers, jolijn vonk, isabelle bronzwaer, debbie van dijk, cindy wouters, ana bissau perreira, murk wymenga, mieke billekens, bobby de graaf, joshua boyd, robert schellekens