A small-scale activity centre in the heart of a residential neighbourhood. A spot where young people can meet for a few hours a day and where school, work and parents do not count. And therefore a spot which does not entirely obey the orthogonal structure of Osdorp, a spot which is rebellious.
That is why Osdorp Midden Noord youth centre is a misshapen cube. The activity centre is a part of the neighbourhood yet it attempts to segregate itself.
Young people aged 12 to 18 are especially interested in their own affairs, and the youth centre gives them space to do just that. A place to see and be seen. We have lifted the outside space required at the activity centre on top of the building, generating a stage for young people from Osdorp. A stage where they can demonstrate their football talents and everyone can keep an eye on them while they oversee the neighbourhood. By creating outside space on the roof of the activity centre, we have tried to ensure no 'creepy' spots are created around the centre periphery, where shady business might take place.
The cube is made misshapen through one simple movement. The exterior space on the roof has been made accessible by introducing a majestic set of steps. The ideal place to relax with your friends and enjoy the evening sun on a summer evening. The steps and the reclining wall on the Reimerswaalstraat are to be built in green coloured concrete. The leaning walls on the Lucas church and car park sides are to be made from standard polished stainless steel, so that these walls reflect the green grass, thus integrating the youth centre into the surroundings in a surprising way.
The distortion of the cube has an alienation effect in the interior. In the centre, we find the nucleus containing a pragmatic and efficient layout of sanitary facilities, kitchen and installations. The leaning walls give an unexpected and special quality to the entrance and activity spaces.
