Gebouw J
The Bijlmerbajes prison was originally designed to be a different kind of prison — a community that offered inmates a degree of freedom through clear views from the windows, access to gardens, and shared communal spaces.
Tower J is a proposal for a residential building in Bajeskwartier that preserves and amplifies this notion of health, well-being, and transparency. The combination of an inviting staircase with an open, spacious layout translates into a different kind of residential building — one that promotes health for both people and the planet.
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Location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Year
2020
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Residential
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Architecture
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Bajes Kwartier BV
AM BV
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Katja Banovic, Rebecca Chen, Luca di Stefano, Eric Frijters, Nafeesa Hamza, Olv Klijn, Hein van Lieshout, Elena Luongo, Yana Markos, Vanessa Sokic, Jurate Volkaviciute, Levi van Weerden, Wesley Verhoeven
The strategy behind Bijlmerbajes prison shows how openness and transparency are important preconditions for health and well-being. This approach is clearly reflected in the shape of Tower J.
By removing a section of the lower floors and covering the façade in glass, Tower J receives an entrance area that is visible from street view. This approach provides layers of inside and outside, allowing residents to remain aware of the surrounding environment before exiting or entering the building.
By placing the excavated volume on top of the building, three different but spacious living conditions are enabled. This gives the ground floors high ceilings, allowing room for additional levels, while the pixelated roofs provide layouts for private rooftop gardens.
A centralized atrium with a healthy staircase connects the different living conditions, and encourages residents to socialize and exercise by taking the stairs. The atrium rises from the basement and extends toward a glazed ceiling.
Covered with plants, it forms an interior garden and a communal space — another layer bridging the public outdoor areas with the private sphere. The experience of moving from the outside to the inside becomes a gradual process with different phases, preparing the residents for the next phase. To frame it all, old prison bars from the demolished Bijlmerbajes become the structure of the staircase, reminding visitors of the historical significance of Bajeskwartier.
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