Pictures
Development of the IJ banks of Amsterdam
Guided by Bjorn van Rheenen
Development of the IJ banks of Amsterdam
Twenty years ago, the banks of the river IJ were industrial areas and a place for drugs addicts and prostitutes.
Nowadays, things have changed and the area is becoming one of the most desirable and popular districts to live and work, full of the spirit of the New Amsterdam.
How architecture has transformed it in such a short time? Discover it with us.
The tour leads you along the banks of the IJ River, former harbour areas and ship wharfs on the southern and northern banks from the east end to the west of Amsterdam Central Station. We will take the bike and the ferry, which is the best way to experience the new developments in this large area, we will cycle along the area stopping to discover recently build-up quarters and old buildings which have been renovated and transformed into offices and residential units.
Join this tour if you are willing to discover one of the trendiest Dutch residential areas, combining mixed use areas with re-used warehouses and new buildings in very high density develpments. We will visit small and big scale residences, public buildings, buildings for creative industries and temporary constructions all accompained by the magic atmosphere of the IJ River.
Buildings you'll visit
- Zuidelijke IJoevers oost. Javaeiland
- KNSM-eiland; Borneo-eiland
- Sporenburg-eiland
- Oosterdokseiland
- Noordelijke IJovers Central
- Zuidelijke IJoevers west
- Noordelijke IJoever west
Make a reservation
Basic information
Please note than once you have booked the tour/visit you’ll recieve an email with the complete information.
Availability
Monday ro Friday
Duration
4 hours
Languages
English, Dutch, German
Max / Min People
Max 4 / Min 2
About Bjorn van Rheenen
Bjorn van Rheenenwas trained as an architect in Germany and The Netherlands between 1994 and 2001. He is native speaking German and Dutch. He established his office Sponge Architects in 2003 in Amsterdam. Since then he is working on various projects in architecture and (re-)development. Besides that he is a teacher within the studies of sustainable architecture.
Sponge Architects office is an agency for development, urban planning, architecture and interior design, looking for ideas, concepts and creative solutions to problemsthrough a 'free' and innovative thinking. As they describe it Sponge unites the Dutch creativity in design with the German craftsmanship in theexecution, consider themselves the “originators” of concepts, inspirations and confident partners of their clients.
Their work is characterized by innovative solutions andpreference for cultural and social issues,they often work with complexnature projects and with a combination of multiple functions and multiple relevantparties in a complex context where people are the main element. They define their work as a content architecture with a message: to improve the world by deliberately making thingsthat they deem important to people.
Bjorn van Rheenen speaks fluent English, German and Dutch.