Mecanoo together with developer KondorWessels Vastgoed has won the tender for the development of Beethoven plot 2 at the Beatrixpark in Amsterdam Zuidas. The 'Habitat Royale' design, in which the connection with nature is central, has been selected by the municipality of Amsterdam as the winning concept.
The new residential building of approximately 15,000 m² offers a very attractive, nature-inclusive, healthy living environment for people, plants and animals. In this way, future residents live in the middle of nature, which has many benefits for their well-being. Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2024.
Alderman Reinier van Dantzig: “This plan is a good example of how Amsterdam's sustainability ambition leads to special developments in the city. The design is innovative and a wonderful example of nature-inclusive design. I am very much looking forward to the end result, because this building is not only an asset to the Zuidas, but also to biodiversity.”
Habitat Royale, in collaboration with an integral team of ecologists, landscape architects and engineers, is based on ecological principles. Arup is responsible for the integral sustainability, construction, and is also involved in the eco-design. BOOM Landscape ensured that twice as much nature was added and the optimal integration of the design in its surroundings. The concept was developed in collaboration with Tenderboost.
The design offers a wide variety of housing typologies for people at different stages of their lives. The typologies can be combined, horizontally and vertically, offering flexibility for future uses. All 94 homes have a generous outdoor space of at least 20 m², making this one of the special qualities of this plan. The fourth floor houses a roof garden with a healing forest, natural pool and meeting place, a quiet, overgrown space where residents can experience the healing effect of nature.
Habitat Royale forms a connection with the environment on all sides: the park, the square, the water, the sunbathing area and the secondary school. The undulating facade gives a varied and lively expression and ensures that the plinth opens in all directions, making the building stand like a sculpture in the park. The program in the plinth has been carefully placed. The nursery and the orangery with exhibition space have a strategic location. The various functions give character to the architecture and creates a 'hybrid zone' between private and public space.
Habitat Royale stores 33% more CO2 than is emitted in the materials during construction. In addition, the building generates more than twice as much energy as the building consumes. In addition, more diverse and connected landscape is being brought back, with more hiding, nesting and foraging places in integrated microhabitats. As a result, the entire biodiversity and the ecological value of the Beatrixpark and the Zuidas will be increased.