Bjarke Ingels Wins Competition for Sluishuis in Amsterdam

Bjarke Ingels has won a competition to design Sluishuis, a landmark complex on Lake IJ in Amsterdam's IJburg district. The project, commissioned by the Amsterdam municipality, includes 380 energy-self-sufficient residences, 4,000 square meters of public and commercial spaces, and 240 underground parking spaces. The design reinterprets the traditional courtyard building with two deep diagonal cuts, creating a form that "kneels" to invite visitors onto the roof for panoramic views. The silhouette evokes a ship's prow, while cascading terraces and vertical greenery vary the appearance from different angles. Sustainability was a key factor in the jury's decision. The development is promoted by Belgian construction firms VORM and BESIX, who launched a two-phase competition in 2014, with four finalists selected last April. Ingels, who studied in Amsterdam, called it a "triumphant return" and said he would "contribute to the architecture of the city I have loved and admired for so long." The project marks the 11th year of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which has offices in Copenhagen and New York. BIG is also completing VIA 57 West in New York and is part of the team working on the Hyperloop One transportation system between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.