Architecture as Construction
Tectonic Thinking and the Legacy of Piraeus in Dutch Housing Architecture
B. Gilijamse (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.S. Zeinstra – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
This thesis examines how the tectonic strategies employed in the design of the Amsterdam residential building Piraeus (1994) influenced architectural tendencies and design culture in large-scale Dutch residential buildings in the years following its completion. Although Piraeus is widely regarded as a key project within Dutch architectural discourse, its influence has predominantly been framed in stylistic or cultural terms. This research instead adopts a nuanced tectonic perspective, focusing on the relationship between construction, material articulation, and architectural expression.
By establishing a theoretical framework based on the writings of Kollhoff and Garritzmann, the study analyzes Piraeus as a building in which monolithic massing, material weight, and façade depth contribute to a coherent tectonic language. This framework is subsequently applied to a series of Dutch housing projects, enabling a comparative analysis of how these tectonic strategies were translated, adapted, or diluted in later designs.
The findings demonstrate that Piraeus did not generate a singular architectural model, but rather functioned as a reference point for a diverse range of interpretations. Its influence is most evident in the selective adoption of individual tectonic principles rather than in direct formal replication. By reframing the building’s impact through a tectonic lens, this thesis contributes to a more precise understanding of architectural influence and knowledge transfer within Dutch housing architecture.