Steven Holl: Sarphatistraat, Amsterdam


This is a short video of Holl’s Sarphatistaat project in Amsterdam (96-02) showing interior and exterior spaces with a clear description of each. The inspiration for the project is taken from the
Steven Holl Architects site and can be found below:

“In Amsterdam, on the Singel Gracht, the renovated building is a four-story brick “U” merging internally with a new “sponge” pavilion. While the exterior expression is one of complimentary contrast (existing brick adjacent to new perforated copper) the interior strategy is one of fusion. The porous architecture of the rectangular pavilion is inscribed with a concept from Morton Feldman’s music, “Patterns in a Chromatic Field.” The ambition to achieve a space of gossamer optic phenomena with chance-located color is especially effective at night when the color patches reflect in the De Singel Canal. The layers of perforated screens are developed in three dimensions, analogous to the “Menger Sponge” principle of openings that are continuously cut in planes and constantly approaching zero volume.”

Arcspace Link

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  • EAMONN CANNIFFE
    July 27, 2007 at 9:43 pm

    Thank you for sharing the work of my students from the Manchester School of Architecture with a wider (North American) audience – in addition to our existing viewers in Europe, Asia and Central and Southern America. A further 42 films are available at

    http://www.msafieldtripfilms.blogspot.com