Amsterdam's Intriguing Modern Architecture

Until relatively recently, Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf was mainly associated with shipping and industry, activities that led to the construction of several massive buildings. Today, many of these structures have been repurposed into cultural properties and Crane Hotel Faralda is among their most illustrious. This luxurious hotel is housed inside a former crane that towers above NDSM Wharf and contains three exclusive suites that overlook central Amsterdam.

In 2001, Amsterdam’s municipality constructed a multi-storey bicycle storage facility on a canal just south of Centraal Station. This floating platform was originally created as a temporary space for bicycles that would free up room around the station during a large-scale renovation project. After completing these plans, the municipality decided to leave the bicycle facility intact and it is now known as de Fietsflat (the Bicycle Apartment).

This massive science museum was designed by Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano and resembles a gigantic, turquoise ship pulling out of Amsterdam’s Oosterdok harbour. The museum’s entrance is located on the deck of this artificial vessel and visitors can ascend a towering staircase to access the facility. The building’s upper bulwark slants down towards central Amsterdam, creating a remarkable viewing platform.

Amsterdam’s northern skyline was completely altered in 2012 after the completion of the EYE Film Institute. This monumental structure was built in order to contain the national film archives, as well as four modern cinemas, an exhibition space and a restaurant. Its sloping spires and peculiar geometrical patterns create the illusion of movement, with each of its walls folding into the next.

Scheepvaarthuis is generally considered to be the first complete example of Amsterdamse School architecture and embodies the dynamic, expressive style that has become synonymous with the movement’s principal endeavours. Although it was originally owned by several Dutch shipping companies, it was purchased by a hotelier group in 1998 and converted into a five-star hotel called Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s main contemporary classical music venue trails alongside the river IJ and houses several state-of-the-art concert halls that were designed to accomodate all manners of performances, ranging from intimate, small-scale shows to festivals. Its interior is encased in a cube-shaped wall of glass that backs onto Amsterdam’s southern docklands and looks towards the city’s Centraal Station. This elegant structure is protected by a huge, metal canopy that hangs over Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ’s western face.

This floating restaurant was actually built in Ireland and then towed to the North Sea. In the 1960s, a Dutch pirate radio station broadcasted from the platform but was eventually shut down by the authorities. Later on, the platform was moved to Amsterdam’s Houthavens, where it was turned into a popular restaurant, which is renowned for its wonderful views of the river IJ.

Although large parts of the Stedelijk were created during the 19th century, in 2012, a new wing was added to the museum that is colloquially known as the ‘bathtub’. This ultra-modern structure resembles a deep, elongated bowl with an enormous metallic top that juts over its sides. The new wing was criticized during its early years, but eventually became an iconic part of Amsterdam’s urban landscape.