Ramon Scharff The House of the City An examination of the possibilities for the Royal Palace on Dam Square. Nieuwstraat 106 A, 8011 TS, Zwolle 06-10364184 ramon.scharff@live.nl www.ra-ar.nl Linkedin Architect
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture Graduation Projects 2015-2016
Architecture
Ramon Scharff The House of the City An examination of the possibilities for the Royal Palace on Dam Square.
The Royal Palace on Dam Square was originally built as the city hall of Amsterdam in 1648. The centre of the world, the place where it all happened, a magnificent monument in the city. A public building with many functions, such as the administrative courts, the city government, the exchange bank, a prison, the home of the mayor and place to get married. Due to its impressive appearance, the building was also called the eighth wonder of the world in the 18th century. When Lodewijk Napoleon became the first king of the Kingdom of Holland in 1806, he put the city hall of Amsterdam into use as a Royal Palace. The city hall functions disappeared from the building and were moved to various locations in the city. Between 1810 and 1935, the building was property of Amsterdam, but was rarely used. In 1935, it was sold to the central government. Since that time, it has been made available for festive occasions of the royal family. This only happens a few times per year. The rest of the time it is unoccupied.... The Royal Palace currently has a closed appearance, but it is located at one of the most public spots in the city. In the past the Royal Palace played an important role as the public centre of the city, the place where the residents of the city came to meet each other and arrange their business. Many people do not know that the building was once the city hall of Amsterdam and that part of the Royal Palace is currently open to visitors. Wouldn’t it be fine if the city would once again have a palace with public functions? On the basis of historical, architectural and spacial research, it may be concluded that the building has already undergone a significant transformation through the years and the building is incredibly well-constructed. It is suitable for a range of functions and can change function with minimal interventions. Lodewijk Napoleon arrived with new wallcovering and furniture, and it suddenly became a palace. The examination demonstrates that the building already possesses great potential. On the basis of this conclusion, the challenge is to make use of as many of the existing qualities as possible. The goal is to shape the new function based on the qualities of the building. It could be that the function is thus moulded on the basis of the available spaces. Should larger essential interventions actually be necessary, then I will fall back on the building-historical appraisal, which I will examine to see if I can justify the interventions. The new functions will be linked to functions from the past. The Exchange Bank will become a Food Bank, The Night Watch will be returned to its original spot in the Krijgsraadzaal (Court Martial Hall), the cell complex will become a royal Crèche, the old mayor’s home will become the home of the King and the Palace museum will remain as it is now. In order to ensure the functions actually function, I will have to place new furniture, just like Lodewijk Napoleon did in 1808. The use of materials for this furniture will follow on logically from the materials used in the past. Graduation date 10 03 2016
Commission members Rob Hootsmans Machiel Spaan Jeroen Schilt
Additional members for the examination Jan-Richard Kikkert Bart Bulter
Ramon Scharff
Architecture
Stadshuis
Paleis op de Dam
1648
Het Huis van de Stad
2015
2020
Image caption
Image caption
plan ground floor
plan first floor
plan second floor
plan third floor
entrance The Night Watch
exit The Night Watch
entrance Food Bank
entrance Home of the King
crèche in the old cell complex
food bank
Ramon Scharff
Section AA
Section BB
Section CC
Architecture
plan third floor
The Night Watch returned to its original location
Ramon Scharff
the home of the king
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture Architect, Master of Science Urbanist, Master of Science Landscape Architect, Master of Science
With the inclusion of the course in Urbanism in 1957 and Landscape Architecture in 1972, the Academy is the only architecture school in the Netherlands to bring together the three spatial design disciplines under one roof. Some 350 guest tutors are involved in teaching every year. Each of them is a practising designer or a specific expert in his or her particular subject. The three heads of department also have design practices of their own in addition to their work for the Academy. This structure yields an enormous dynamism and energy and ensures that the courses remain closely linked to the current state of the discipline. The courses consist of projects, exercises and lectures. First-year and second-year students also engage in morphological studies. Students work on their own or in small groups. The design
projects form the backbone of the syllabus. On the basis of a specific design assignment, students develop knowledge, insight and skills. The exercises are focused on training in those skills that are essential for recognising and solving design problems, such as analytical techniques, knowledge of the repertoire, the use of materials, text analysis, and writing. Many of the exercises are linked to the design projects. The morphological studies concentrate on the making of spatial objects, with the emphasis on creative process and implementation. Students experiment with materials and media forms and gain experience in converting an idea into a creation. During the periods between the terms there are workshops, study trips in the Netherlands and abroad, and other activities. This is also the preferred moment for international exchange projects. The Academy regularly invites foreign students for the workshops and recruits wellknown designers from the Netherlands and further afield as tutors. Graduates from the Academy of Architecture are entitled to the following titles: Architect, Master of Science; Urbanist, Master of Science and Landscape Architect, Master of Science.
Architecture
Architects, urbanists and landscape architects learn the profession at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture through an intensive combination of work and study. They work in small, partly interdisciplinary groups and are supervised by a select group of practising fellow professionals. There is a wide range of options within the programme so that students can put together their own trajectory and specialisation.