The Oostenburg complex was built in 1871 by the N.V. Woningmaatschappij (Housing Corporation). It was an early example of social housing. Oostenburg provided space for 217 small homes. Most apartments had a surface area of about 35 m2, and some were only 25 m2 in size. Since 2005, the complex has been a municipal monument.
Because the complex and the homes were dated and in a technically poor condition, it was decided in close consultation with the residents to thoroughly renovate the whole.
To this end, foundation restoration took place and the building physics qualities were improved. The homes were insulated for both heat and sound, and equipped with mechanical ventilation and central heating. The building was gutted on the inside and redesigned with 78 small homes of 35-45 m2 and 70 larger homes of 70 m2. Of the original residents, 63 indicated that they wanted to return.
In a corner of Oostenburg, between the former Stork site and the Wittenburgervaart, lies a hidden village dating from 1872. In that year, 217 workers' homes were built, measuring between 25 and 35 square meters, financed in part by money from Freddy Heineken's grandfather. "Social housing avant la lettre, from even before the Housing Act," says project manager Marieke Top (53) from housing association De Alliantie, describing the area.
The neighborhood is a municipal monument, partly because the design was attributed to Dolf van Gendt, the famous architect of (among other things) the factory halls at the nearby Stork site, the Concertgebouw, and the Stadsschouwburg. However, it turns out to be by the hand of father and son Willem Hamer – also no lightweights, as architects of the Vondelpark pavilion and Hotel De l'Europe.
Some time ago, the foundation of these housing blocks turned out to be so poor that it had to be replaced immediately. This was paired with a major renovation, during which the monumental character had to be preserved. “The cultural-historical value played an important role,” according to Top.
For construction company Ooijevaar, such a large-scale renovation and new-build project was unique, says director Paul Vlaar (34). “We treated the exterior with respect. Much of the masonry work was even so good that we left it as is. But inside came modern homes that meet the requirements of today. You wouldn't expect inside what you see on the outside.”
The complex features 148 new homes, half of them 45 square meters in size, and the other eighty square meters. When designing this new layout, architect Paul Witte of Meijran Partners constantly had to compromise between the requirements of the Historic Preservation Agency and building regulations. The floors could not be insulated as thoroughly as Witte wanted; if there is anything for the residents to complain about, it is therefore the noise transmission.
However, it does have fire-resistant ceilings and even a sprinkler system, and the plastic window frames have been replaced by woodwork according to the original design, but with double glazing.
About ninety original residents returned, and 35 homes have been rented out in the private sector. The residents of Oostenburg are all equally enthusiastic; they give their homes an average grade of 8.2. "I live in the most beautiful house in Amsterdam," one of them shared during the survey among the residents.
Hans de Cleen (65) is the overjoyed resident of a 45-square-meter ground-floor apartment, with a small garden by the water in the back and a slatted attic under the roof. For this, he pays 570 euros in rent per month.
"This house fits me like a glove," he says. "This is a very pleasant neighborhood, very quiet, yet right in the middle of bustling Amsterdam. Many people have worked hard for years to preserve this neighborhood, while so much has been demolished around here on the Eastern Islands. Here you can still see how people have lived on the islands all this time. But we do have the modern conveniences to go with it."
The five jury members – who themselves live in newly built homes elsewhere in the city – are unanimous about the nomination of Oostenburg. They greatly appreciate the preservation of this piece of old city, with even the return of typical beamed ceilings in modern homes. “You have a great sense of freedom here, right by the water,” says Jolanda Koeman (52). “This is a gem,” Ineke Genee (44) summarizes, “a hidden treasure in the city.”
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