The ‘Old Church’ in the medieval part of Amsterdam is surrounded by a complex public space. The municipality asked for a plan which would include a space that would fit the historic character of the site and give less room to cars and more room to cyclist, pedestrians and the exploitation of terraces. This plan is part of the renovation of the whole quarter, the famous ‘Red Light District’.

 

The present space gives the idea of an encircling walkway, common around medieval churches. This idea was taken and developed in order to give some continuity and unity to this very divers space around the church. The canal with its bordering street to the east cuts off this circular structure.

 

All the streets that give access to the place are in brick. This material is continued around the bordering facades. The use of this material makes this zone functional for terraces. The circular road and the space between this road and the church are executed in recycled cobblestones. This simple gesture highlights the space around the Old Church and the church itself while giving ease of use to the public.

Client
City of Amsterdam

In collaboration with
Harm-Klaas Naaijer

Photography
Emilio Troncoso Larrain