As part of the Oosterdoks Island master plan by Erick van Egeraat, Erick designed Plot 6, a mixed-use building consisting of 32000m2 of offices, 8000m2 of housing and 7000m2 of retail. The client requested Erick to create a zero-emission building, creating a much wider framework for environmental consciousness. This project is not only a zero-emission complex, it is also architecturally innovative on all levels, by fully integrating all design features. The positioning of the functions, and their interrelationship regarding energy use are essential in the project.

The building maximizes the site available and consists of two apartment blocks facing the southern Oosterdok, an office organized around an atrium which extends over the full height of the building and a large underground retail space. The outer facades are extremely responsive to the site-specific conditions, the noise-polluted north façade is designed to make natural ventilation possible by means of acoustic voids. Vertical lamellas on the east façade reflect morning light into the building and shield the façade from noise. Integrated in the roofs edge, directed in the prevailing wind direction, a crown of urban wind turbines reduces the building’s energy consumption.

The project for Plot 6 and Oosterdoks Island is a beacon of environmental awareness for the image of the client, the city of Amsterdam and the Netherlands.