Stepstone

• 216 affordable rental homes for young people
• lounge, common sports deck, bike storage
• Zuidas - Amsterdam South

Starter apartment tower at Zuidas
Stepstone is a project with 216 social rental homes for young people up to 28 years old in Amsterdam's Zuidas. Residents rent the homes through a youth contract to get a start in housing. Throughout and on the building, there are communal facilities to stimulate social contact between residents. The 80-meter high building with 23 floors was developed by housing association Lieven de Key.

Living
The residences range in size from 20 m² to 60 m², with a smart layout and a (French) balcony. On the ground floor, there is a lounge where residents can meet. Adjacent to the lounge is a private work and study space, and next to the building is a green courtyard. The rooftop terrace features a sports field. The building also provides storage for bicycles and scooters.

Architecture
The design by LEVS architects subtly plays with the classic structure of a plinth, substructure, superstructure, and crown. This results in a light, open residential tower with panoramic balconies. Variations in the facade pattern create a cohesive whole that doesn't appear monotonous. On the street side, a double-height passage connects the front to the inner courtyard, via a communal meeting space for residents. The tower is entirely constructed from prefab elements. In 2023, Stepstone won the prestigious Zuiderkerk Prize.

Urban context
Stepstone is the first residential project in the Knowledge Quarter (Innovation District) at the Zuidas. This area is being developed by the municipality of Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC. In addition to approximately 2,700 homes, there will be space for knowledge-related companies, a primary school, culture, and hospitality.

Sustainable
Stepstone is a new, energy-efficient, and gas-free residential building. An innovative system utilizes waste heat from the adjacent building, The Pulse. Because residential and commercial functions have different heating and cooling needs at different times, they complement each other optimally.