Open Fort 400 Ideas Competition

> New York 5

On November 27th, the two winners of the Ymere NAi Ideas Competition 2009 ‘ Open Fort 400’ were announced. From the nominated five designs, the jury has chosen ‘Open Frame’ (Elastik and Mat Studio, Igor Kebel and Eriko Watanabe, Mika Cimolini and Freek Dech) and ‘ New York 5’ (Stereo Architects, Finbarr McComb and Pieter Sprangers) as winners. Both will be rewarded with a € 12.500 price. The winning plans will be on display at the exhibition ‘Open Fort 400’, in information centre De Zuiderkerk in Amsterdam from 18 December until 27 February 2010 , together with the other 100 entries.

The jury on the two winners
Open Frame (Elastik and Mat Studio, Igor Kebel and Eriko Watanabe, Mika Cimolini and Freek Dech):
'A well-considered plan concerning the location and an intelligent collaboration of the different aspects in the direct environment. Solid spatial effects, especially in the executions of the terraces attached to the front at the side of the Buiksloterham. In the plan, the view is used optimally with reference to its surroundings, like other large buildings along the river IJ. Opinions on the emphasis of red could vary. The colour red delivers a prominent image, but it is uncertain whether the execution and materialization will be successful. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether the programming can result in the proposed fusion of public and private functions.'

New York 5(Stereo Architects, Finbarr McComb and Pieter Sprangers):
'Enormously original idea and very inspiring to include five New York architects in the competition. The plan offers a refreshing outlook on cultural and social issues and the involvement of the designer in the process. However, it does require more than an architectonical execution to convince us that all it takes is the sum of five modest towers put together. The spatial and protective quality of a fort, projected in the internal climate control, is not convincing. Moreover, the jury wonders if the urban dynamics of a city together with a fusion of functions can be realised with these one-sided programmatic interpretations. The platform that extends over the river IJ is considered a possible public area that offers a cultural addition to Buiksloterham. If changes of the ‘footprint’ can be made, the outline can be positioned within the preconditions. One obstacle will be to fit the plan in the location, because of the unclear relationship with the surrounding buildings and programmes.'

Jury Open Fort 400
The jury of this competition is directed by chairman Mels Crouwel and jury members Saskia Bos, Ole Bouman, Maarten van Poelgeest, Ronald Rietveld, Russell Shorto and Roel Steenbeek.

> Open Frame Design Center

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