De Jakoba is a social housing project in Amsterdam's Overhoeks district, designed by Studioninedots. It features prefab facade elements for cost-efficient construction of 135 studio apartments for single-person households, incorporating multifunctional commercial spaces and a communal garden.
The De Jakoba project, designed by Studioninedots and completed in 2022, is a significant development in Amsterdam's Overhoeks district, demonstrating a successful integration of quantitative and qualitative building practices. The project comprises 135 social rental apartments, primarily studio units averaging 46 m2, aimed at single-person households, starters, and those looking to downsize. This is complemented by 100 m2 of flexible commercial space and a communal garden for residents. The design adheres to the urban plan's requirement to minimize volumes at street level by indenting the entire building volume inwards, creating a stepped, gradually upward-bending structure across its height and length. This distinctive form results in four unique facades, characterized by undulating balconies and rounded corners, ensuring that each of the 135 studios possesses an individual floor plan. The communal garden is thoughtfully integrated into the building's indentation, offering a sense of shelter.
The facade of De Jakoba is a notable feature, utilizing prefabricated decorative concrete elements that allowed for a construction period of just one year. The concrete is polished and rounded, imparting a soft yet elegant appearance to the building. The light green hue of the decorative concrete, combined with the silver-gold powder coating on window frames and balustrades, enhances this aesthetic, giving the building a warm glow. This material choice, along with the building's unique form, creates a dynamic play of light and shadow throughout the day. The project was nominated for the Amsterdamse Architectuurprijs in 2023 and is publicly accessible.