Driekolommenplein, Aalsmeer

Aalsmeer faced a problem with its town hall: due to expansions, the main entrance had ended up at the rear of the building. The architectural competition posed the challenge of transforming this back area into a space worthy of the town hall. The firm Dok won the competition.

The area around the Driekolommenplein is characterized by freestanding buildings of varying scale and appearance—urban around the square, rural along the water. The site lies at the transition between these two distinct characteristics, which became the starting point for the design.

A row of five residential buildings now marks the entrance to the town hall. On the town hall side, these buildings are tall and slender. Large glass facades alternate with sustainable wooden panels. On the water side, the same buildings take on a more modest character. The projecting floor slabs curve downwards towards the ground, lending a rural feel while providing shade and privacy.

Designed for the target group—senior housing for residents with above-average incomes—each floor contains just three apartments. A spacious central hall within each apartment connects all living spaces, which can be linked along the facade with sliding walls.


Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol i.c.w. Herman Zeinstra
Number: 9304
Status: Built
Year: 1993