Sluseholmen and Metropolis

The idea for a canal district on Sluseholmen originated with the Dutch architect Sjoerd Soeters, who used his experiences from Java Island, a residential district built on an artificial island in Amsterdam. And the Dutch inspiration is obvious. Newly dug canals form the basic structure. The new canal district was built on eight artificial islands with a pattern of continuous blocks with sheltered courtyards.

The unified plan’s dogmas comprised a unifying principle for Sluseholmen, but at the same time they ensured that it will be a quarter with great variety, where each building will have its individual distinctive features. In order to create this diversity, 25 architecture firms were asked to design the buildings. As a rule of thumb, at least five firms had to be involved in each block.