Archive | Heritage of the Week: Kleiburg, from decay to masterpiece
- Externe publicaties
- Oct 7, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Source: Municipality of Amsterdam, Heritage of the Week: Kleiburg, from decay to masterpiece (2021).
Summary
The Kleiburg apartment building in the Bijlmer district was slated for demolition in 2011. Ultimately, the building was saved by a renovation, with the apartments being sold as fixer-uppers. Kleiburg has since received international recognition and is officially part of the municipally protected cityscape. Its story demonstrates how heritage, housing, and innovation can coexist.
From modern plan to problems
The Bijlmer neighborhood was designed in the 1960s as a modern residential area: tall honeycomb apartment buildings with ample greenery and separate traffic flows. Due to budget cuts, key components were removed from the plan. This resulted in a bare neighborhood with few amenities. Kleiburg, built in 1971, was one of the largest apartment buildings.
In practice, the neighborhood proved unpopular. Many residents left after a short time. From 1975 onward, vacant homes were allocated to Surinamese families who came to the Netherlands after independence. Drug problems later emerged. The Bijlmer's image deteriorated, and Kleiburg also fell into disrepair.
Nearly demolished
After the Bijlmer disaster in 1992, the neighborhood was extensively redeveloped. Many apartment buildings made way for low-rise buildings. Around 2011, Kleiburg was the last remaining original honeycomb block of flats remaining untouched. The building was largely vacant, and demolition seemed the only option. Housing association Rochdale decided to attempt a rescue and issued a tender.
New life as a DIY flat
Consortium DeFlat acquired Kleiburg and opted for a unique approach: the building's exterior was restored, but the apartments were sold as shells as fixer-uppers. Residents could design their own interiors and, if desired, combine multiple units. The ground floor was also opened up by converting storage spaces into work and living spaces.
The result was a resounding success. All the apartments sold quickly. The spray-cleaned concrete restored the apartment buildings to their original appearance and created a peaceful atmosphere in the neighborhood.
Recognition and heritage
The renovation earned Kleiburg considerable praise. In 2017, the apartment building won the Mies van der Rohe Award , the most prestigious European architecture prize, and the Dutch Design Award Habitat . This was the first time the award went to a renovation project.
Since 2019, Kleiburg has been part of the Bijlmer Museum , the area designated as a protected municipal cityscape. This makes the apartment building not only a residential area but also an official heritage site of the city of Amsterdam.
Meaning for sustainability
Kleiburg's history demonstrates that preservation and renewal can go hand in hand. For the current sustainability challenge, this means a strong focus on the building's heritage value. This can present limitations (for example, in facade modifications or material choices), but also opportunities to maintain or enhance the quality and value of the homes.
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