VMX, with DELVA Landscape Architects and MVSA, designed a heart for Amsterdam's Zuidas, where there is life 24 hours a day. The Pulse of Amsterdam is the name of the multifunctional building where residents, visitors and business people meet. Anywhere and somewhere, were the starting points for Shaya Fallahi, project architect of VMX Architects. Anywhere, because the office tower exudes the international atmosphere and somewhere for the residential tower. In its vertical form, it reflects the capital's identity, with many bay windows and facing bricks that unmistakably refer to the Amsterdam School.
The task outlined in the tender was, to put it euphemistically, complex. 56,000 square meters of floor space had to be created on a mixed-use basis, but most of the rental housing had to be in the mid-priced rental class. "That's why about a quarter of the area is residential. The more expensive commercial and office spaces ensure that the rental homes and apartments remain affordable," Fallahi explains. That social premise is also reflected in the building's layout. In terms of residential spaces, there is a wide variety, from studios to penthouses and ground-level homes, while the office environment accommodates both established businesses and start-ups. What's more, everyone runs into each other. Regardless of whether people visit The Pulse for work, leisure or living, they use the same public entrance that functions like a plaza in a city. "There it is always lively. On weekends because people go to their homes or supermarkets, but also during the work week. During lunch and at the end of the day, people going home or just coming from work will meet."
Original and connecting
The design clearly shows the connecting vision and originality of VMX Architects and MVSA. As with previous projects, the architectural firms found original solutions that enhance the character of the surroundings. For The Pulse, this is no different. Behind the sculptural champagne-gray facade are the offices, but the residential tower and residences on the first floor feature "bricks. "The way we see it, a building should relate to its users as well as its surroundings," Fallahi clarified. "In addition, specifically for The Pulse, we were looking for the balance between local and international character. The way we see it, an office building should be able to stand anywhere in the world: anywhere, while housing should reflect local characteristics: somewhere. In The Pulse, the local characteristics of Amsterdam-Zuid and the Amsterdam School are reflected in the 'brick' facade with light frames and through the use of 'Amsterdam Erkers' to keep out the noise of the Ring."
Different facing bricks
Remarkably, two different facade bricks were used. "Starting on the second floor, the tower is clad in Sto matte mineral façade strips, with the orange color referring to the Amsterdam architecture of 100 years ago." On the lower floors, glazed ceramic stone strips are incorporated in a dark orange shade. "These give the building a fresh look, but also stand out in an environment where glass and polished materials dominate the streetscape."
The brick appearance of the residential tower is enhanced by the detailing, bay windows and façade planting. Combined with the avant-garde tordering, the crown of the building and the greenery, The Pulse takes on a look of its own. Although not all elements were initially in the pen. "In the crown of the residential tower, the same dwellings as on the first floor were realized. This had a special reason. Namely, the prescribed height of the tower is 81 meters. That means a sprinkler system is required. To make it a feasible project, the penthouses are now accessed at a height of 70 meters."
Space for nature
The office tower also features a crown. "Behind it are the technical rooms and solar panels," Fallahi explains. Although that is not the first aspect that catches the eye. Attention is mainly drawn to the sculpturally shaped facade, finished with a composite of PET bottles and fitted with PV panels above the windows. "These windows have the advantage of providing maximum views and a very pleasant ratio of light to floor space. In addition, we wanted to generate energy in the facade, so that not all the roofs had to be filled with solar panels and there was space left in the middle building for a 'forest of heavens'. By concentrating greenery, you have a greater impact on nature. That is also the reason that a footpath allows one to walk through the 'forest', but man is really a guest there. In this way we ensure that nature is given free rein."
Every detail has been thought about
The applicator of the facade finish is Julian Huis in 't Veld of 't Huis. "Thanks to the drive of VMX and VORM, this is not only a special project, but The Pulse also meets the highest quality requirements. For example, in the area of safety. This is - in my opinion - the tallest building in the Netherlands with facade insulation made entirely of rock wool. In addition, additional inspections and tests were carried out, such as a tensile test that showed that the facade strips are applied six times stronger than the legal requirement."
The architectural firms also set aesthetic standards. "Special molds were made for the ceramic bricks and the mineral façade strips - to accentuate the bay windows - have a special size of 48×265 mm." Combined with angles of 135°, that requires precise work from his crew. "And a logistical puzzle for Sylvia Huis in 't Veld," he laughs. "But it does lead to an insanely beautiful building, where every detail has been thought through."
