Case study: Van Gendthallen, Amsterdam
Gamifying the strategic planning process to raise awareness, engage stakeholders and unlock potential uses.
Challenges • Structure was in poor state of disrepair, with draughts and leaks earning it the nickname ‘The Freezing Favella’. • Size of structure precluded simple conversion to mono-functional use. • Scale of disrepair meant large amount of resources required to bring structure back into secure use. Intervention • In 2012-2013 the sites owner, the Stadgenoot Housing Corporation, opened site up for temporary use. • Mediamatek artists group, in collaboration with Play the City organisation, created a ‘temporary town’ within the site, attracting a diverse range of temporary uses. • Interested stakeholders and enterprises were invited on site to engage in collaborative planning play sessions to determine allocation of space for multi- functional uses. • Iterative design process resolved tensions between stakeholders and determined short-term reactivation plan for the site.
Short-Term Impact • For 6 months the site became an urban mixed-use centre • Temporary uses included a distillery, furniture workshop, exhibition spaces and various cafes and restaurants. • This temporary reactivation attracted great public interest, bringing together local stakeholders and providing an insight into the sites potential regeneration. Long-Term Impact • In 2018 the site passed into new ownership and the current owner has begun an extensive renovation project. • The site is set to become a long-term mixed use centre with a focus on sustainability. • The renovated site, expected to open in 2022, will
Van Gendthallen
• Former industrial site at the Oostenburgereiland area in Amsterdam. • Originally constructed in the late-18th century to produce locomotives, serving as a major local employer. • Production slowed and in late 20th century owner applied for demolition. Locals resisted and secured protection for the former factory as a protected structure • Passed between owners for 20 years and fell into dereliction • Site is now being brought back into productive use.
provide offices for start-ups and entrepreneurs, exhibition spaces and cafes and restaurants.
• This long-term use draws direct inspiration from the previous temporary uses that occupied the site in 2013.
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