Strong connection, great differences
18 new town residences in the Schelphoek, Alkmaar
Anyone walking along the new Wolfspad will see a brick town wall which is unmistakably of this era, but which also evokes associations with a city wall, fort or moat. No historicising sloping roofs here, but a whole series of architectural features, including prominent facing bricks, which effectively connect the new buildings with the old town. In terms of cohesion and difference, this part of the Schelphoek is now truly part of Alkmaar town centre.
The 18 residential properties on Wolfspad form the final piece of the redevelopment of the Schelphoek, a unique location in the historic town centre of Alkmaar. The Schelphoek was a medieval harbour with a lime kiln which was transformed into an industrial area in the 19th century, after the construction of the North Holland Canal. When the last companies moved away to more accessible business parks, a spacious location for new buildings became available, adjacent to the historic town centre. The typical characteristics of the new and historic are expressed in the architectural layout of the Schelphoek, with clear street walls and relatively high density.
The architecture of the properties on Wolfspad reflect these special urban conditions. The blocks form a strong town wall, with a plastic finishing marking the corners. The building blocks are further refined with single or double properties and elevated gables with a concrete lintel extending beyond the building line.
Within these contours, all the houses are individually recognisable. In that respect too, there is an explicit link with the medieval town. Differences are introduced by using a series of coordinated features. Individual houses are recognisable due to wider or narrower windows, French or "Spanish" balconies, flatter or deeper recesses. But individuality is mainly created thanks to the sophisticated masonry: differences in the colour of the bricks and grouting, accents provided by concrete lintels and vertical beams.
Also unique to the project are the prominent facing bricks common in a medieval town. These "Schelphoek bricks" are a nod to the district's name and thus re-establish a link with the past.
Developer: AM
Execution: BAM Woningbouw
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