Freebooter

Program    2 apartments Biophilic CLT Building
Client  Freebooter

Year    2019
Location    Amsterdam (NL)
Area     257 sqm
Development Team    Johan Beijers, Giacomo Garziano
Design Team    Giacomo Garziano, Robbie Nijzen, Simone Peluso, Daniele Colombati, Jan-Willem Terlouw, Piergiorgio Angius, Krzysztof Zinger
Construction Engineering Pieters Bouwtechniek

Installations Engineering Mabutec
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AWARDS

Frame Awards 2020 Amsterdam (NL) WINNER – Large Apartment of the Year

WAF World Architecture Festival Awards 2019 London (UK) WINNER – Amsterdam Prize

Best of the Year 2019 – Interior Design magazine New York (US) WINNER – Environmental Impact

Archilovers Best Project 2019 Bari (IT) WINNER

Architecture MasterPrize 2019 Los Angeles (US) WINNER – Green architecture

CODA awards 2019 Madison (US) WINNER – Residential

A’ Design awards 2019 Como (IT) WINNER – Sustainable and Green Design

DNA Paris 2019 Paris (FR) WINNER – Green Architecture

 Architizer A+ Awards 2019 New York (NY) FINALIST – Architecture + Wood

Dezeen Awards 2019 London (UK) LONGLISTED – Urban House

Next Step Program 2019 Amsterdam (NL) SHORTLIST – Architecture Talent

Amsterdam’s Zeeburgereiland is a triangular artificial land mass next to the city center of Amsterdam. More than 100 years ago, Zeeburgereiland was underwater and the body of water itself served as a thoroughfare for Dutch Navy ships. This man-made island has since become the site of a very different kind of ship: Freebooter.
A celebration of craftsmanship in contemporary design, the bespoke two-apartment Freebooter block harmonises form and function across a meticulously crafted layout. Boasting a parametric louvered exterior which is a focal point for the neighbourhood, this block opens into a compact and dynamic interior layout revealing combinations of window features, timber interiors and layered finishes. The picturesque Zeeburgereiland is the perfect backdrop for family living and entertaining, with open-planned organic curves walking through to comfortable living spaces, fostering a sense of wellbeing and connection to nature.
The 2 duplexes have a main core containing the vital functions related to nourishment (kitchen) and personal care (bathroom and toilets). Around it, the resting area (master bedroom and single bedroom, studio) and the “living” area (living room and dining room) evolve fluidly. The open plan offers maximum flexibility. The living room merges with the dining room, the studio and the double height space. This loop continues through the stairs connecting to the resting area (master bedroom, single bedroom and studio) and the large terrace. As for apartment 1, the view towards the river together with privacy and perfect light conditions are guaranteed over the whole day in every room. The system of balconies and terraces creates continuity between inner spaces and outer spaces, enlarging the rooms and connecting the dwellers with the natural element of the nearby water.

Freebooter was born out of the main elements which characterise the area. It used to be a place where ships were constantly present. This is why I decided to use the elements related to navigation and interpret them according to my vision: the wooden structure typical of the sailing ships and traditional Dutch architecture inspired the construction technology and the feeling of the new interiors; the openness of the floor plan, the changes in height according to the function of the room follows basic principle of ship engineering; the transparency of the façades, the balconies and terraces, create a feeling of standing on a ship’s deck, and still preserving privacy and comfort. The fluidity of the water that carries the ship and the wind that blows into its veils inspired both the floor plan, the interiors and the pattern of shading structure. With this building I want to bring back the historic memories of the area and give the new inhabitants the feeling of belonging to it since centuries ago.
Giacomo Garziano - GG-loop