NDSM, AMSTERDAM


Contact

Name of the responsible structure: NDSM/Stichting Kinetisch Noord
Type of structure: Foundation
Profile of the initiators: several co-operative associations of artists, crafstmen, theatermakers, acrobats, skaters, artistic companies and (social) cultural organisations
Continent : Europe
Country : the Netherlands
Address: NDSM-Werf
TT Neveritaweg 15
1033 WB Amsterdam
Post : P.O. Box 37688
1030 BH Amsterdam
Tel: + 31 (0)20 3305480
Fax: + 31 (0)20 6389160
Mail : eva@ndsm.nl / info@ndsm.nl
Website : www.ndsm.nl
Contact : Eva de Klerk (founder Kinetisch Noord)


Description

At the roots of the NDSM project lies the ever increasing shortage of affordable working space in and around Amsterdam for (expérimental) art. In the last decades these sort of spaces were mainly found in large squatted harbor premises. These buildings, most have been vacated, are seen as breeding grounds and meeting places for co-operating and innovative small scale industries, which are the starting points and testing grounds for many artists and small entrepreneurs.

NDSM/Kinetisch Noord aims to transform the former Shipdock into a multidisciplinary and experimental working space of some 80.000 square metres by building functional and affordable working space and creating a meeting point for young (inter)national theatre makers, visual and performing artists a.s.o.. On the other hand NDSM/Kinetisch Noord produces a substantive cultural programme. NDSM/Kinetisch Noord has chosen a growth model: despite the rehabilitation, cultural activities are already organised and working space is rented out.

Former use : Shipdock
Total surface of the site : indoor ± 30.000 m2, outdoor ± 50.000 m2
Architect of the rehabilitation : NDSM users, Dynamo Architecten (Utrecht), Architectuurwerkplaats De Ruimte (Den Haag), Sponge (Amsterdam), Stichting Stro & Co, Kees Aafkens
Renovation costs of the building : 9,2 mln euro
Location: rundown industrial area
Foundation year of the centre : 2000
Type of occupation: rent, 10 year contract
Owner of the building : Local Government (City Council of North Amsterdam)


Infrastructures / Facilities

In order to further the aim of providing affordable and experimental working space the CASCO (hull) philosophy has been developed. This philosophy is in fact an alternative form of urban planning: a town planning strategy whereby space is given to allow the development of urban areas from the bottum up. Its purpose is to create a living ’city’ where the users take personal responsibilty for their surrounding environment in order to develop themselves within this environment. Inhabitants and users are no longer seen as passive consumers but as equal partners in the development and control over housing, buildings, neighbourhoods and even whole cities. This philosophy is an important influence on the renovation plans for the NDSM Wharf.

NDSM/Kinetisch Noord has defined ten building projects which are the bases of the future cultural activities :

- Basic Infrastructure in the large Wharehouse (NDSM-loods) and the Docklands Wharehouse for project 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10

- Oostvleugel: (eastwing of the NDSM-loods 2250 m2) working spaces for site-specific theatre, visual theatre, streettheatre, art for public espaces and decor. On the corner of the Oostvleugel the International Theatre Workshop (ITW) is situated, an artist in residence and try-out space.

- Kunststad: in the centre of the NDSM-loods an ‘Artist Village’ of 8000 m2 ihas been designed by the users: about 100 studios and ateliers are built in the Kunstad

- Noordstrook: the Northwing of the NDSM-loods (1900 m2) is reserved for large multifunctional studio’s where music, theatre, film and video performances, festivals and exhibitions are being held.

- Sectie 4: this section of the NDSM-loods (5620 m2) is designed for an Indoor Skatepark, a climbing wall, music-rehearsal studio’s, youth theatre, soundediting, art workshops etc.

- Dazzleville Amsterdam: temporary atelier building (900 m2) on the outdoor premises for workshops and the exhibition about the artsitic plans and rehabilitation of the Wharf

- Helling X: one of the two large slipways used by artists and craftsmen

- Helling Y: one of the two large slipways used by artists and craftsmen

- Houten Kop: a strawbale pavilion/cafe on the waterfront

- Docklands Wharehouse: an 6000 square metre exhibition hall for large scale theatre, music and dance productions


Social and artistic disciplines

- Theatre (site-specific, circustheatre, objecttheatre, performance, drama, youth theatre)

- acrobats

- music

- dance

- visual arts

- arts and crafts

- multi media

- sports (climbing and indoor skatepark)

- recycling textile

- catering

- film

Activities:
Performances, music concerts, exhibitions, festivals, workshops, debates, residencies, dance-events, flea market etc.

Other structures/organisations resident on the site :
some private shipbuilding activities


Financial support

Support for the building activities from the local and central government and the Ministry:

- Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Gemeente Amsterdam (OGA)

- BroedplaatsAmsterdam

- Dienst Maatschappelijke Ontwikkeling (DMO) Amsterdam

- Ministerie voor Volkshuisvesting
- Ruimtelijke Ontwikkeling & Miliieu (VROM/IPSV)

Incidental support for cultural activities from:
- Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst

- Fonds voor Amateur- en Podiulmkunst

- VSB Fonds

- Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds


Networks:

- Het Gilde van Werkgebouwen aan het IJ (association of 24 (former) squat builidings in Amsterdam)

- Terschellings Oerol

- Over ’t IJ Festival (Amsterdam)

- Theater en Huis a/d Werf (Utrecht)

- British Council (Brussels)

- Urban Catalyst (Berlin)

- La Friche (Marseille)

- PS1 (New York) a.o.

Modified on Monday 17 May 2004