In the year 1895, the city's municipal architect, A.W. Weismann, completed the Stedelijk Museum, a landmark for the city. The building is famous for its grand rooms and grand staircase, as well as its use of natural light. In 2012, the building was redesigned by Benthem Crouwel Architects. The resulting design emphasizes warm colors, natural materials, and organic forms.
Silodam is a popular landmark in Amsterdam and is considered a symbol of contemporary Dutch architecture. The project, built in the nineties in the heart of the city, was designed to accommodate increasing population density while remaining flexible in program. The architects of Silodam, MVRDV, used the city's burgeoning shipping industry to create an eclectic mix of commercial spaces and residential units.
SeARCH, an architecture and urban design firm in Amsterdam, has a worldwide staff and works on projects all over the world. SeARCH's philosophy is to explore the intimate relationship between a building's site and architecture. This collaboration allows for innovative design solutions. The firm's work has been recognized in various awards.
The iPabo University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam is a great example of this, as it trains primary school teachers. The Mecanoo team was commissioned to design a complete refurbishment and extension of the 1960s-era iPabo building. Although the core of the building is still quite old, the architects worked hard to create an inspiring, transparent environment for the students.
One of the most distinctive features of Amsterdam architecture is the use of gables. There are numerous historic landmarks in the city that feature gables, including famous townhouses and warehouses. Simple triangular wooden gables were common in Amsterdam's history. Later, spout gables became popular on warehouses. These were followed by step gables in the 17th century.
Another example of Amsterdam architects work can be seen in the newly built metro tunnel. The tunnel connects Amsterdam Central Station with the IJ river, and has become a popular cycling route. Since its opening in 2015, over 15,000 cyclists have used the Cuyperspassage tunnel. The new metro was constructed on wooden stilts.
Another famous piece of architecture by the Amsterdam architects is the REM Eiland restaurant. It was constructed in 1964 on an island that is 9km off the Dutch coast, out of the country's territorial waters. The island was then used to broadcast pirate radio and television programs. It is now a modern industrial restaurant designed by architecture firm Concrete.
