‘noorderparkbar’ by bureau SLA + overtreders w, amsterdam, the netherlands all images courtesy of bureau SLA image © jeroen musch

amsterdam-based practices bureau SLA and overtreders w have collaborated to initiate, design and complete the ‘noorderparkbar’, a coffee bar and local gathering space for residents in north amsterdam, the netherlands. entirely funded and constructed by members of the two firms, this bottom-up project sourced all the components to build the structure from approximately 100 individual traders found on a dutch market website similar to eBay. although solely comprised of second-hand materials, the pavilion projects the appearance of a new construct. due to their method of gradually gathering the building elements, the design and building process occurred simultaneously.

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar shutter doors open during the day image © jeroen musch

the overall volume is generated by three units originally implemented for a temporary hospital which have been stripped-down and re-purposed. two frameworks are stacked, defining the outdoor dining terrace. wooden doors may be swung open during the day and closed at night to prevent vandalizing. the cladding’s fragmented pattern is generated by placing lumber pieces at random angles with an airspace between, making the most of a few thousand meters of leftover wood from renovation projects. the surface has been charred with an ancient japanese technique ‘shou sugi ban’ to protect the exterior from the elements.

enclosing the bar and pair of bathrooms, the roof and wall planes of the remaining section is fabricated from white-framed skylights and windows of assorted styles. collected from all over holland, the bought goods included white and green ceramic tiles, 2 toilets and 55 liters of paint. wood for the shutters came from a bankrupted formwork factory.

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar doors close off the structure at night image © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar (left) two stacked frameworks form the terrace and a single unit contains the bar and restrooms images © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar dining terrace image © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar bar area is enclosed with a ceiling and walls of assorted windows images © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar restrooms image © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar at dusk image © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar at night image © jeroen musch

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar site plan

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar floor plan / level 0

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar elevation

bureau SLA + overtreders w: noorderparkbar elevation

project info:

start building process: 15-08-2011 opening: 15-03-2012 gross area: 36 m2 (incl 18 m2 terrace) design: bureau SLA en overtreders w client: bureau SLA en overtreders w address: noorderpark, entrance at wingerdweg 185,  amsterdam program: coffeebar and 2 public toilets project team: sara postkart, ronna gardner, jiri masek, ninja zurheide, monique philippo, volonteers and about 80 employees of marktplaats structural engineering: pensera, amsterdam builders: bureau sla, overtreders w & jorrit vijn financing: ymere (housing corporation), e-bay, crowd funding (99 donations)