The requested programme of 250 houses - and more - will be realised in an extremely high density at the IJmeer waterfront. The study area not only comprises this urban junction but also allows the vulnerable woodland to be retained as a pure recreational zone. This division avoids an endless mono functional residential area, without any point of recognition. Densification and dilution coexist, providing exclusivity and identity. These are essentials of a smart suburbia for the fast growing city of Almere.
A close-up of the waterfront shows pedestrian zones, bicycle tracks and motorways crossing without mutual interaction. All the traffic flows can be combined and improved by using the differences in level of the dike profile. Together they are a fundamental contributor to the urban junction. A public deck is situated at the dike level. It guides the traffic flows but also connects the boulevard with the IJmeer and the woodland. The location will develop into an identifying landmark in the IJmeer coastline.
At the junction the different traffic flows and high density programme form the basis of the high quality public space. Motorways end seamlessly into parking lots; a new boulevard connects to a spacious pedestrian deck that is enclosed by public facilities, bars and restaurants. The deck starts at the dike and branches off with a pier into the IJmeer and with a bridge into the woodland, thereby opening up both water and woodland to the public. Cyclists are no longer just passing the junction, but are tempted to stop for an ice cream, enjoy the view and meet other people. This public realm is in harmony with individual and private demands. Lobbies form an intermediary to the free space in the towers, that enables individualism.
The programme is laid out in simple vertical zoning. The public deck is surrounded by public facilities like bars, shops, sport fields, but also by the lobbies of the hotel and residential and office buildings. The many parking lots are on top of the deck and to a larger extend below the deck. Since the parkings below are situated at and above ground level they provide a free view on the landscape. Above the public deck the generic programme towers into the sky.
The towers are not functionally determined. The volumes can be used to accommodate all kinds of functions. Especially a diversity of housing is expected to be realised here, next to working spaces and hotels, in varying combinations and proportions. Since the towers are functionally neutral their content can easily be adjusted to changing demand through time. The urban junctions can be extended with additional towers along the parking strips and the boulevard. The design contains different levels of sustainability.
