Supporting public life through architecture
The parallel histories of Spaarndammerhart’s and Het Schip’s contribution to public life
T.S. Ter Heide (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Phoebus I. Panigyrakis – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)
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Abstract
The literature about public life is mainly focused on the city as a whole. This research applies the literature about public life to architecture by analyzing two case studies. The design elements of two building in The Spaarndammerbuurt neighborhood in Amsterdam, Het Schip (1921) and The Spaarndammerhart (2020) are related to the literature about public life. A cohesive definition of public life is formed by reviewing the relevant literature. Then the cases are analyzed by looking at the conception of the building and the architect’s aim of the project. Furthermore this is done by comparing the strategies outlined in the literature with site photos taken of the case studies. The research shows a strong presence of design tactics that foster public life in the two case studies. Even though being built a decade apart both buildings have strong similarities in the tactics they apply.