The design of De Monnik, with its distinct plot division and facade arrangement, builds upon the urban and architectural characteristics of 16th and 17th-century Amsterdam. On an architectural level, the plan is a contemporary interpretation of the old city.
De Monnik consists of nine buildings, each individually recognizable in the streetscape. These buildings house 32 apartments, ranging in size from 42 to 80 m². The maisonettes on the ground floor and the first floor are accessed from the street, while the apartments on the upper floors have corridor access.
The plan is constructed from various shades of brown-black brick. The many windows are framed by wooden casings and zinc.
The most difficult housing project out of the ten competing for the New Construction Award is undoubtedly De Monnik. This block of 32 apartments is located between Bloedstraat and Monnikenstraat along Gordijnensteeg, right in the middle of the Red Light District. When the Nuon power station that stood there was no longer needed, a plot of land remained in an impossible location: narrow streets surrounded by brothels. But the city was keen on having housing there.
An earlier developer ran into trouble with it, says Bas Kluts of developer Hillen & Roosen. And I understand that. He wanted a parking garage for ten cars, commercial spaces on the ground floor, and large residences above. That would never be financially viable. It also doesn't fit here. Hillen & Roosen was brought in because this company already had a lot of experience with building in the city center. Architects Peter Geusebroek and Svetla Stefanova have also made a name for themselves in that area. The most important task was: to create a facade that would gain approval from the Welstand Committee in one go, according to Kluts. And they succeeded.
Geusebroek and Stefanova were guided by the traditional image in the center. The facades vary in height, the floor levels shift, and the facades are even built with a slight overhang, leaning forward slightly, as you see throughout the old city center.
It's a facade with guts, praised Pablo Herrera, a member of the jury that selected the top ten: Quality has been carefully considered. The finishing and details are extraordinary, judged jury member René Berbee. And Ans van der Hall called the space very well laid out.
Behind the facade are compact apartments intended for Amsterdammers who want to live in the city center. No families with children. And the apartments were indeed all sold to Amsterdammers; they were gone within a month. Prices ranged from 177,500 euros for fifty square meters to 245,000 for seventy meters. No parking space, no balcony, no garden. But there is an indoor bicycle storage. And special amenities, due to the special location.
The city district of Centrum even provided a subsidy to adapt the facades. Large vertical blinds are installed in the ground floor windows to prevent people from looking in. Pins on the window sills are intended to deter loiterers and those looking to sit. The residents have been living there for a year and a half now and are extremely satisfied; they gave a rating of 9.8. They noted that the building's appearance is great, new yet in keeping with the style of the neighborhood. Finally, a building that shows thoughtful design.
Everyone keeps going on about the noise from prostitutes and bachelor parties, Karin van Rheenen (36) says, bringing up this point herself right away, but on Sunday mornings it's just like a quiet village here.
The people greet each other, including the ladies across the street. It's all very social. After a year of drifting around in sub-rented places, she's now happy to have her own house. I wanted to live in the hustle and bustle, and it's even better than I thought. In which part of the city is your street power-washed every day? You don't need to feel unsafe at all; there's a lot of police, there are cameras, there are always many people. Van Rheenen has sold her car. That was quite a step. But with public transport, you can get everywhere. I don't miss my car anymore.
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