AMSTERDAM ORPHANAGE STRUCTURALISM

- Aldo Van Eyck

modern architectural ideas + patterns and shapes + repetitive pavilions.

The Orphanage is a house and city
compact and polycentric
unique and diverse
clear and complex
static and dynamic
contemporary and traditional,
rooted both in the classical and modern tradition.
clearly defined intermediate
places : does not imply a
continuous transition

implies a rupture of spatial

continuity

articulated transition through

defined intermediate places

Spatial Relationship
“a small world within a large, large world
within a small one, a house as a city, a city as
A home “,
The classical tradition lies in the regular geometric order found at the base of the plan.

The modern is manifested in the dynamic centrifugal space that crosses the classical order.

The archaic tradition appears in several aspects of the formal appearance of the building.
 Planning

“casbah” (citadel) or a labyrinth

Composed of interconnected interior and

exterior spaces

• the private and the collective were closely

linked and
• the boundary between the building and
the city had to be disjointed.
The design reconciles the advantages of a
centralized structure with the decentralized
pavilion patterns.

The system of pavilions with two module sizes

is transformed into a continuous, but
perforated volume, within which both the
pavilions and the main block are identified.

The smaller modules were used for the

residences and the larger ones for the
common spaces. Planning
The access courtyard is next
to a large hallway that intersects
two inner streets

A linear block of administration separates it

from the large central void that is the heart of
the place, with intermediate places
 A courtyard with enclosed spaces that
are combined with others open or semi
Main courtyard covered creating a large square from
which access to the main areas of the
program
appears to be a modern version of a
Renaissance “cortile”. The inner streets
sometimes remember the Romanesque
cloisters.
The focus of the inner courtyard is a
circular seat marked by two lamps,
which instead of occupying the geometric
center of this space move about 4 meters
diagonally.
Residential Units

The residential units are arranged in

a staggered formation,
thus allowing each of them to have
communication with an individual
outdoor space and with the
internal street.

Polycentric building, with a joint of large

and small spaces, inside and outside, in
successions of units, sets of 9 modules, each
defined in its own right, while it is interlaced
rhythmically, also with domed covers in This
case greater.
Residential Units
Attention to detail to
empathize with the children
who would live there.
The geometrical order of the building is
articulated by a contemporary version of the Classical
Orders
composed of columns and architraves.

The architraves are concrete beams, each with an

oblong slit in the center.

The columns are thin concrete cylinders with the fine

grooving on the left side of the formwork.

Its united extremities give the impression of a capital,

although the capitals as such are absent.
The roof domes at the top of the grid soft biomorphic domes
provide continuous spatial articulation.

The small domes form a grid that extends

evenly throughout the building so that the
general pattern can be read at each point.

Along the axial lines of this grid, pillars,

architraves and solid walls mark a series of
well-anchored and enclosed spaces: the
adjacent lounges and courtyards, the party
room, the gymnasium and the central
courtyard.
Some of the domes are
covered with skylights that
allow the entrance of natural
light.

The rays of light penetrate the

semi-dark rooms creating
images of great visual interest.
Along the main corridors are
glass walls that overlook the
many courtyards of the
building, allowing for beautiful
views, in addition to providing
light to most areas of the
orphanage