Amersfoort-Otto Scheltus (NL)

SITE / CONTEXT

The Otto Scheltusflat presents a key opportunity to reconnect and reshape its urban fabric recreating a new landmark and meeting place for the city. Situated at a vital intersection, the location can function as a connector between the central station and historic city centre improving and ensuring effortless flow of people to the city centre.
The vision to aims transform the location into an integrated urban cluster seamlessly connecting with the surrounding urban context. Focusing on innovative residential typologies and introducing dynamic public functions contributing to a vibrant street life. A cohesive inner public space with well-designed transitions between public and private areas has the potential of creating comfortable and welcoming urban environment.

QUESTIONS TO THE COMPETITORS

Reconnect the city
The Otto Scheltusflat occupies a strategic position in the Stadshart of Amersfoort, at the intersection of Stationstraat and Snouckaertlaan. Currently, visitors arriving from the station find it difficult to intuitively navigate to the city centre, highlighting the need for more inviting and clear pathways.
Leverage the building’s prime location, design an anchor point that functions as a recognizable orientation point for residents and visitors along the route from the station to the city centre. Activate the ground floor along the main route to the city centre (Snouckaertlaan).

Reshape the urban context
Urbanistically, the building and its surroundings feel disconnected and underutilized. Optimize the scale, massing, and alignment of building lines to strengthen the spatial relationship between the streets and the inner courtyard. Building heights may vary 6-8 floors increasing the density. Reconfiguring the volumes may provides a significant opportunity to restore and emphasize the visual axis towards the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren, enhancing its role as a key urban landmark. Subtly integrate inspiration from original rhythmic facade to preserve its architectural legacy while addressing modern needs.

Innovative residential concepts
The target group of the housing program is with an emphasis on social housing and affordability. Design a mix of apartment typologies, accommodating current market demand, develop a mix of elderly housing and other social groups combined. The project will expand or reshape the current building into a diverse cluster of buildings accommodating appropriate amount of units. Additional functions such as community rooms, health and fitness could be organised to increase a healthy environment and social interactions with co-residents.

Vibrant Street Life
Design the ground floor as a public and multi-functional space that benefits both the city and residents. Include up to 1000m2 of additional programs such as a city café, co-working spaces, or care facilities like physiotherapy and general practitioner services. Community rooms and health and fitness areas for seniors should be carefully planned to prevent conflicts. Strive for a balance between enhancing residents’ comfort and fostering a vibrant urban environment.

Design a cohesive Inner Courtyard
The inner courtyard should seamlessly integrate with the city. Preserve existing trees, ensure accessi- bility by addressing height differences. Courtyard can take on a quiet and private character, in contrast to lively sides along the routes to the centre. Additionally, reorganize access to various buildings from the courtyard. The Burgermester de Withstraat can be re designed to become as ‘ car as guest’ street. Existing private parking, currently spread across different plots and totalling approximately 100 spaces, could be reorganized. Options include integrating parking into the basement of the new project or relocating it to nearby parking facilities in the neighbourhood to nearby parking facilities in the neigh- bourhood.