DRAKA AMSTERDAM

The Hamerkwartier masterplan in Amsterdam-Noord reimagines a former industrial area as a sustainable, mixed-use urban district rooted in production, creativity, and community life. Developed on the historic Draka cable factory site, the plan integrates housing, workspaces, amenities, hospitality, and a major riverside park. By prioritising the maker economy and building on the area’s industrial legacy, the project aims to create a resilient urban ecosystem that strengthens the social and economic fabric of Amsterdam-Noord.

Public space plays a central role in shaping the identity of the district. A network of largely car-free streets prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, while a sequence of east–west connections structures the neighbourhood. Key public spaces, including the Makers’ Square and the Maker Spine, anchor social and productive activity, reusing historic industrial elements to maintain a strong sense of place. Along the IJ, a generous waterfront park provides both local and city-wide recreational value.

Architecturally, the masterplan embraces contrast and diversity to create a dynamic urban environment. A mix of building scales, housing typologies, and productive ground-floor uses generates urban intensity, while shared gardens and native planting enhance liveability and biodiversity. Variations in building height, block scale, and façade articulation produce a layered skyline and a vibrant streetscape, reflecting the distinctive patchwork character of Amsterdam-Noord.