Amsterdam recently held a competition aimed at repurposing two sewage treatment shafts in the city’s Zeeburg district. The competition was named “Annie MG Schmidt House” in honor of the famous Dutch children's book author.
In this competition, Nl Architects proposed transforming the two shafts to serve multiple purposes including climbing, sports, and culture. The height of the buildings will be maximized to provide expansive views.
The cultural shaft will house two theaters, complete with dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, workshops, performance halls, music broadcasting studios, and hairdressing salons. A skybridge will be constructed at the original height of the shaft tops to connect the two shafts. Offices will be located on the expanded uppermost floors of the building. The rooftop will feature a restaurant offering 360-degree views and a rooftop terrace.
Built upon the existing cylindrical shaft, a 40-meter-high artificial cave will be created, featuring numerous challenging overhangs and undercuts for climbers to tackle. Since the climbing walls are sloped, the space between the exterior and interior can be partially expanded. The upper level of the cave will house a hotel, training facilities, and a multifunctional plaza. The ground floor will include a public café, connected to the climbing area via a hole in the ceiling. The exterior of the shaft will also be equipped with climbing holds, forming one of the climbing activities. Parts of the inner wall will be pushed outward to create several exterior protrusions, adding extra challenges for those climbing outside.
The Zeeburg district originally had three shafts, two of which are the focus of this competition, while the third has already been converted into a commercial space.