Bowling Buikslotermeerplein
Bowling Buikslotermeerplein
The development of community-owned cultural real estate in Amsterdam Noord
In November 2021, the municipality of Amsterdam presented Project Note Buikslotermeerplein. The shopping center dates from the early seventies and is due for a thorough redevelopment. Recent connectivity through the northernmost stop of the Amsterdam North/South line and the addition of residential, working, and recreational facilities offers perspective. The ambitions for the future Buikslotermeerplein are sky-high. An important part of the plans is creating physical and mental connections with the surrounding neighborhoods, with few cultural and social facilities.
With that goal, Coöperation 5711 (a collaboration between recycling company de Lokatie, Verdedig Noord, Productiehuis Noord, and Bright) is redeveloping the former bowling alley into a place in common and collective ownership. Strategically located between metro and shopping center, between cinema and McDonalds and between Lidl and district office. A prominent place where residents of the surrounding neighborhoods can work together on culture, learn creative craftsmanship, and a true circular economy in the broadest sense becomes visible.
Elevations of the original design, Jan Brouwer Associates. Image: City Archive Amsterdam
Situation drawing of the original design, Jan Brouwer Associates. Image: City Archive Amsterdam
‘Bowlinghal blijft als buurthuis, dat past veel meer bij deze tijd en bij Noord.’ – Het Parool | 15-11-2021
Through an interactive model, sharing fresh meals and a giveaway market, we will engage in conversation with residents and passers-by about the dreamed future of the building. The input from residents and actors has led to a global program for the building: a kiosk with a public toilet, thrift store, neighborhood workshop, practice, and presentation spaces for music, film, theater, and other forms of cultural expression, a public roof garden, and supporting cafe and a small restaurant.
To counter the impression of non-commitment, small improvements to the building were started immediately: removing a meter-long discolored banner, renovating and putting into use the empty kiosk in the underpass, removing weeds and painting a number of blind facades of the building.
The characteristic shape and structure of the current building will be retained for the renovated bowling alley. The side of the building that was hidden behind the Waddenweg viaduct until recently will be ‘cleaned up’ so that it will be a recognizable face on the cultural square that is yet to be developed. On top of the existing volume, a layer will be added over part of the building that will provide space for supporting catering, office and meeting rooms and a spacious roof garden that overlooks the market and cultural square. Only biobased and recycled materials will be used for the renovation.
For the filling and programming of the building, there is collaboration with various organizations that contribute to the cultural awareness and expression of young people from the North in particular. Among others, the Public Library Amsterdam (OBA), Stichting Bekijk ‘t, De Lokatie and Productiehuis Noord have committed themselves to the project.
