District West
Historic print production to new timber construction
The District West Masterplan is a sustainable development in Amsterdam transforming a historic print site into a timber campus with offices, laboratories, and a major public plaza. Drawing on the circular economy of wood, the design integrates strategies of refurbishing, retaining, reclaiming, and recycling, combining six buildings into a cohesive campus that traces the evolution from industrial print production to contemporary timber construction. Each building features shared, biophilic interior spaces—from tessellated atria to sculptural canopies—creating healthy, collaborative environments that break from the everyday.
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District West – From Industrial Print Site to Sustainable Timber Campus
District West is a forward-thinking masterplan by WOMO Architects that transforms a historic print production site in Amsterdam into a vibrant, mixed-use campus rooted in circular design principles. Located near Sloterdijk Station, the project reimagines the former Telegraaf press site as a new urban hub that blends heritage, sustainability, and innovation.
The design concept draws inspiration from the lifecycle of wood and the circular economy, integrating strategies of refurbishing, retaining, reclaiming, and re-manufacturing. Three existing buildings of historical significance are carefully restored, while three new mass timber structures introduce a contemporary layer to the site—creating a cohesive campus that reflects both past and future.
The six buildings are unified through a flexible masterplan that connects offices, laboratories, and shared amenities via bridges and open circulation routes. Each building incorporates distinctive interior environments—such as biophilic sanctuaries, tessellated atria, and sculptural canopies—designed to foster wellbeing, creativity, and collaboration.
At the heart of the development, a 10,000 m² public plaza—comparable in scale to Dam Square—anchors the campus. Centered around the historic printing press pavilion, this space becomes a major destination for events, gatherings, and everyday urban life. Ground-level retail, restaurants, and public amenities activate the site, creating a lively 24/7 environment that supports both the local community and the wider city.
Accessibility and connectivity are central to the masterplan, with multiple entry points, over 2,200 bicycle parking spaces, and direct links to Sloterdijk Station. Upper-level terraces and a rooftop deck provide additional outdoor workspaces, sports facilities, and panoramic views over Amsterdam and the Westhaven.
District West sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban development, targeting full carbon neutrality. The project minimises embodied carbon through adaptive reuse and timber construction, while operational carbon is reduced through renewable energy systems and advanced building technologies. BIM-driven lifecycle analysis ensures environmental impact is monitored and optimised from design through to construction and beyond.
District West redefines the industrial legacy of the site—transforming it into a resilient, green, and socially vibrant campus that supports the future of work and urban life in Amsterdam.
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Location: Sloterdijk, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Project Size: 91, 352m² / 983,305 ft²
Clients: TPG Angelo Gordon | APF International
Themes: Master Plan | Adaptive Reuse | Ground-up | Campus | Office
Collaborators: Renders by Playtime (Interiors) & ZOA3D (Masterplan)
