Designing CROSSOVER was a challenge for Team V

Boasting an office, rental apartments, owner-occupied homes, communal areas, a car park and hospitality and catering, CROSSOVER in Kop Zuidas is set to be a multifunctional development. Construction started early this year and by 2023, Zuidas will be adding a new ‘mixed-use’ building to its property portfolio. It was this very multi-functionality that encouraged Team V to pitch for the challenge back in 2016. ‘It was an exhilarating process ensuring that CROSSOVER is suitable for a variety of target groups while still maintaining unity’, says Van Schooten.

The planning drawings are laid on the table. ‘As you arrive from RAI station, the first thing you see is the taller office section. If you walk a little further, along Rozenoordpad, you find yourself in front of the lower building, where the housing, hospitality & catering and communal areas will be.’ The fact that these homes will be located so close to the A10 created quite a few problems for Van Schooten’s team. ‘According to building standards, a resident must be able to open a window without being disturbed by traffic. Since the A10 can hardly be described as a country road, we spent a lot of time solving that puzzle.’ Team V also had to take account of the sun. ‘From the A10, the sun shines right at the apartments. Although this makes them bright and airy, it’s important that the apartments don’t get too warm in the summer.’

After a few sleepless nights – ‘not really a problem, it means you’re really getting your teeth into something’ – the team came up with a solution with the help of specialists. ‘The rental apartments will all have large windows, but we’re positioning them slightly further back in the building. The edges that stick out around them will therefore have a shading effect.’ The apartments then continue to the other side of CROSSOVER, towards the city. ‘This is where the entrances are and there will be windows for ventilation. So, you’ll still be able to open a window without being disturbed by car noise.’

The rental apartments will not be especially spacious (28 sq. m. on average) and are intended for first-timers and residence-permit holders. ‘Although the apartments will all have their own sanitary facilities and kitchens, there’s been a lot of focus on communal areas, both inside and out, where people can eat or watch a movie together’, explains Van Schooten. ‘The future residents will also need to be open to this. If you prefer spending most of your time by yourself, CROSSOVER probably won’t be for you. This is an extraordinary concept for which developer AM and Woonstichting De Key have really stuck their necks out. The sole aim of our design is to achieve the ideas behind CROSSOVER.’ The ten owner-occupied homes are slightly larger and located in the first layer of the building. They are adjacent to a green infiltration strip that collects rainwater. These apartments are reached by means of a bridge; however, the front door is actually on the A10 side.

‘There was already a detailed description of how it should be’, says Van Schooten. ‘For example, the height, volume and size of the rooms were all determined in advance. The same applies to the sustainable use of materials and the presence of outdoor areas.’ These were a particular focus in the design. ‘Take the office floors – they will all have large terraces, going down in tiers.’ For residents, there will also soon be large communal outdoor areas. ‘This focus on ‘outdoor rooms’ is a really positive trend of recent years.’ Van Schooten is also pleased with the indentation in the building, between the offices and the apartments. ‘This prevents CROSSOVER from looking too big and ensures that the street behind, on the city side, also gets some sunlight.’

The 120 social rental apartments in CROSSOVER are intended for 120 first-timers on the housing market and will be spread across six floors. The landlord will be Woonstichting De Key. In addition to these 120 social rental apartments, the lower floor will also feature ten owner-occupied studios. The hospitality & catering facilities will also be in this part of the building. The office section will have nine floors and will soon play host to various companies. The future tenants will have a state-of-the-art, sustainable and healthy office at their disposal, with a green terrace available on every floor.