Buitenplein Amstelveen

The project involves the conversion of a car park in Amstelveen into the 25,000-m2 Binnenhof shopping mall, as well as an intervening plaza, Buitenplein, which was realized to link the retail complex to an existing V&D department store. Conceived as an enjoyable place to relax and have fun, Buitenplein is a multi-level ‘carpet’ of terracotta tiles with shops, seating, water features and a kiosk tucked into its folds. A sunken area of the square functions as a central gathering point. Identical materials were used for walls, roofs and paved areas. The result is a distinctly uniform plaza that provides a striking contrast to the surrounding grey-blue buildings. Diagonal axes in the existing urban design are reflected in the design of the shopping pavilions. Together with the overhangs at ground level, this replication ensures optimal sightlines. Although shops face the square, some of their exterior walls deliberately address other directions, thus blurring the often devastating contrast between front and back that typifies most shopping centres.