The Sluishuis complex is a modern architectural marvel thoughtfully designed to respond to its unique waterfront location in Amsterdam. One side of the building is elevated, allowing water to flow into the central courtyard, while the opposite side slopes downward, creating a welcoming green terrace that integrates with the IJburg neighborhood. From every viewpoint—whether standing on a dam, crossing a highway or bridge, walking on a wharf, or even viewing from above—the scale and design of Sluishuis continuously surprise and captivate visitors.
This residential project includes 442 apartments, offering a diverse mix of rental and owner-occupied units distributed throughout the building. This variety caters to different demographics, income levels, and age groups. All apartments open onto the central courtyard where a large cantilever beam and the water surface warmly welcome residents and visitors alike. Thanks to Sluishuis’s distinctive shape and double-height volumes, each apartment enjoys optimal sunlight and breathtaking views.
Sluishuis offers a wide range of housing types, from compact city studios to water sports-themed apartments. The top two floors feature duplex penthouses that connect to the courtyard and provide stunning views of IJmeer Lake. Luxury apartments in the staircase section boast sunny wooden roof terraces overlooking IJburg. Notably, apartments located at the base of the cantilever offer spectacular views directly over the water, with large windows at the junction of sloping exterior walls and the floor, allowing residents to watch boats sailing right beneath their feet.
The public podium and boardwalk corridor host a variety of facilities including a sailing school, a water sports center, and a restaurant with a spacious sunny terrace. Both residents and visitors enter through the courtyard. The walkway leading to the rooftop offers spectacular water views and a charming environment. Surrounding the building is a wharf corridor featuring 34 boat docks. The dock’s landscape design encourages interaction with the water through multiple mooring points, benches, and floating gardens. This carefully crafted setting also supports local flora and fauna, including native plants and a bird sanctuary, making the pedestal and surroundings a valuable ecological asset.
Sluishuis fosters social interaction and strengthens the bond between residents and visitors. Its staggered balconies provide stunning views and encourage communication. The public rooftop pathway, central courtyard playground for children, boardwalk corridor, and wooden roof terrace are all designed to promote spontaneous gatherings and community engagement.
The building’s material palette is carefully chosen to both contrast with and connect to its surroundings. Natural materials ensure the structure will age gracefully, maintaining a rich and organic appearance over time. The untreated aluminum exterior reflects the water surface, continuously changing the building’s appearance throughout the day. In contrast, the stepped roof terraces and boardwalk corridor are crafted from wood, providing a tactile, inviting texture.
Sluishhuis stands out as a green and sustainable development, achieving an impressive Energy Performance Coefficient (EPC) of 0.00. This is accomplished through state-of-the-art insulation, triple-glazed windows, and heat recovery systems integrated into ventilation and shower systems, significantly reducing heating demand. Hot water and cooling are supplied via energy-efficient district heating and heat pumps. Approximately 2,200 square meters of solar panels generate all the energy required for heating, ventilation, heat pumps, and LED lighting. Beyond technical innovations, the project emphasizes greening and water management, featuring gardens with native plants on the front, sides, and courtyard. Greenery extends upward through built-in flower pots on the rooftop terraces, creating a pleasant and natural atmosphere.
With its striking architecture, innovative housing types, quality outdoor spaces, and stunning views of IJmeer Lake, Sluishuis serves as a welcoming gateway to Amsterdam’s IJburg district.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Eighth Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Barcode Architects, Bjarke Ingels Group
Area: 49,000 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Ossip van Duivenpole
Principal: BESIX RED, VORM
Project Partners: BIG Landscape Architecture, Van Rossum, Buro Bouwfysica, Klimaatgarant, DWA
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
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