The Sluisdeurenloods has been a valuable building for the city of Amsterdam in the past. It was built in the second half of the 19th century in the "Previous" port "Oosterdock" and was dedicated to repairing the doors that control the water level of the Amsterdam canal. Its importance is evident as, after the construction of the tunnel in 1975, the Sluisdeurenloods was rebuilt in its current location in Diemerpark, Amsterdam. Today, the building is owned by Mediamatic and is used for exhibitions and event rentals.
In October 2022, the Sluisdeurenloods gained monumental status due to its "special typology value." It is the only remaining wooden building in Amsterdam. Since 2015, when Mediamatic moved in, some adjustments have been made, such as replacing tiles and repainting the facade, but the original structure remains intact. That's the reason why, the use of this beautiful space is challenging during the winter, as it is not isolated and requires a lot of energy and money to heat up the space, which still remains cold. More information about the history of the Sluisdeurenloods can be found here.
During my work period at Mediamatic, I was asked to help think of some solutions to make the Sluisdeurenloods more suitable for use even during the winter period while respecting and valuing its existing appearance. I had the opportunity to get closer to this beautiful wooden monument by redrawing it and considering how to make it suitable for hosting all types of events.
The first step, I was asked to think about, was to find a solution to block the wind that comes inside the space when the door is open. I also thought about a solution on how to make a welcoming entrance with a ticket corner, a wardrobe, and a good and functional position for a bar.
How can we bring back its original importance and make it a sustainable place to connect people and host different kinds of events? What are the best architectural solutions and materials to protect and enhance such an architectural typology? Can it become a manifestation of Mediamatics program? A manifest of art and science together? These are the questions that I was investigating during my research and design process.
Unfortunately, my internship ended too soon to continue to research and develop the project further but, for sure, it was the task that I enjoyed more and reactivated my passion for architecture. I hope that the future will give me another opportunity to research and develop subjects like that.