Westergasfabriek, a nineteenth-century factory on the outskirts of central Amsterdam, halted operations in the 1950s. In 1981 the site was rezoned as recreation space. Of five design firms invited in 1996 to envision the open space component of the new culture and recreation park, Kathryn Gustafson won the commission with ?Changement,? a proposal produced in collaboration with Francine Houben of Mecanoo. In 1997, Kathryn opened an office in London and with partner Neil Porter and began to translate this concept into detailed design. 

© Thomas Schlijper

Architects: Gustafson Porter + Bowman

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Architect In Charge: Mecanoo

Area: 135000.0 m2

Project Year: 2006
Photographs: Thomas Schlijper, Courtesy of Gustafson Porter + Bowman , Hélène Binet

Design Engineer: Arup

Structural Engineer: Pieters Bouwtechniek

Construction Engineer: Tauw

Project Management (Design): Northcroft Belgium sa

General Contractor: Marcus bv

Translator: Claudia Ruitenberg

Specification Writer: Bugel Hajima

Courtesy of Gustafson Porter + Bowman

Westergasfabriek, a nineteenth-century factory on the outskirts of central Amsterdam, halted operations in the 1950s. In 1981 the site was rezoned as recreation space. Of five design firms invited in 1996 to ...