Blok 5

Public Space
The plan for the public space around the Blok 5 shopping centre in IJburg was integrated into our design. The public space around the building is varied in terms of both shape and ambiance.  The large building block is split in the middle, creating two small squares on the IJburglaan and by the main square, which allow a passageway to run through the building.  The shops on these squares gradually give way to office space.  The shops on the IJburglaan are located within an arcade.  In order to reinforce the continuity of the urban space, we chose to continue the existing block paving around the building as far as possible into the heart of the shopping centre, using a darker tone.
There are glass lighting strips integrated into the pavement of the shopping square and the arcade.  These illuminate the public space in the evenings and allow light into the car park and storage area under the arcade.  The lighting strips in the shopping square are interrupted by rainwater drainage gutters.  Simple, sturdy benches on the central square give the space the necessary informal, social atmosphere. The lifts and stairs for the shopping public are designed in a simple way.  The large glass cover above the lift and the large staircase allows the maximum amount of natural light into the car park, but protects against rain.  The simplicity of the design maximises the use of space by residents and the shopping public.