HAVENGEBOUW is the headquarters of the Port of Amsterdam and is an iconic building designed by the famous Dutch Architect Willem Dudok in 1960. The modern, functionalistic design and the prominent location on the shore of the IJ made the HAVENGEBOUW an icon in the city of Amsterdam.

Unfortunately the access to the building is interrupted by the railway and the small plot on which it is located together with other offices is completely cut off the city centre. Besides, new developments as the A’dam tower on the north side of the IJ are taking a more dominant position over the outdated look of the HAVENGEBOUW.

For our bachelor graduation project we saw an opportunity for the HAVENGEBOUW to be transformed into a attractive, updated looking version without losing its iconic features and also connects well to the city centre to kickstarts the rediscovery of the current plot.

The new design hosts a 24h function concept including a hotel, flexible offices, restaurants and a club that invites different groups op people to experience the building at any given time. Furthermore the whole façade is redesigned according to the rules of the original proportions. Only now with more raw elements to portrait it original purpose.

The new design also connects the first visually separated parts of the building into one whole design, subsequently to the 24h concept. The building operates as one and everything works together for optimal usage.

The new HAVENGEBOUW regained its once dominant position on the shore of the IJ and invites a divers mix of users to enjoy and experience its many possibilities and great features.