While studying abroad in the fall of 2007, our class took the opportunity to go to the Netherlands. The progressive nature of the Dutch was truly captivating. Their approaches to energy, tactics to reclaim land from the sea, architectural design, and urban planning were overwhelming. Our time traveling in and around Amsterdam was much too short to truly appreciate everything around us, but every minute was definitely educational.
The "whale," pictured below, allowed its design to be dictated by environmental factors. The roofline was established based on sun angles to optimize energy and lighting. Additionally, the architects took an interesting approach to egress by using the stairs that link varying levels. Unconventional, yet functional.
The university dorms pictured below were meant to be temporary structures. The colorful 'pods' come prefabricated and construction simply consists of stacking and attaching them. Interestingly enough, this colorful addition to the campus has become a popular housing option and their fate on the campus has yet to be decided.
The Netherlands is more than legalized prostitution, weed, and wooden shoes. Go see for yourself!
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