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Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 1)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 2)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 3)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 4)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 5)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 6)
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IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands: Anneke Bokern (Thumbnail)
Anneke Bokern
Almere, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht

Anneke Bokern is an architecture journalist and writer based in Amsterdam. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, she studied History of Art and Architecture in Berlin. She moved to the Netherlands in 2000 and has been writing about architecture and urban development for German and international publications including Bauwelt, Baumeister, Topos and DETAIL ever since. She is also the author of several books on Dutch architecture.

Her passion for Dutch building culture led her to found architour in 2004 and co-found the Guiding Architects Network, making her one of the pioneers of professionally guided architecture tours in the Netherlands.

She develops programmes, curates tours, and leads groups in English, German, and Dutch, and continues to write and publish on Dutch architecture.

anneke-bokern.com

IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands: Paul Vlok (Thumbnail)
Paul Vlok
Almere, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht

Paul is an experienced architect and lecturer. Born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, he graduated from TU Delft with an honours degree in Architecture in 1995.

In the years that followed, Paul worked for several Dutch architecture firms, contributing to projects in urban extensions and renewal areas. His work has consistently focused on housing and urban planning.

Since 2018, Paul has been a partner at architour. He develops and organises programmes and leads tours in English, Dutch and German. He also teaches at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.

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Tour in Amsterdam:
IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands

IJburg is Amsterdam’s most ambitious housing expansion, comprising seven artificial islands in Lake IJmeer.

With an eventual total of 18,000 homes, the project showcases a diverse mix of housing types, urban concepts, and design freedoms. Development began in 1999 with the first four islands completed by 2011; the second phase started in 2013 and continues to evolve.

The design of IJburg emphasizes variety and innovation. Housing options range from urban blocks and row houses to detached family homes and floating residences. In certain areas, homeowners are granted full design freedom, bypassing the municipal beauty commission, resulting in a neighborhood with striking architectural diversity.

The tour offers a close-up view of IJburg’s innovative approach to urban expansion, providing insights into how cities can integrate water-based living and customized housing solutions within a cohesive urban framework.

  • Duration: 3 hours

  • Transport: walking

  • Services: experienced local architect as guide

  • Languages: Dutch, English, German or French

  • Group size: max. 25 participants per guide

Projects:

  • Creation of the Islands
    Insights into the technical and planning challenges of creating artificial islands, including land reclamation techniques, ground ownership, and urban design principles.

  • Steigereiland (2008–2011)
    Private homes designed by firms such as VMX Architects, Claus en Kaan, Rocha Tombal, and Faro.

  • Sluishuis (BIG and Barcode, 2022)
    Terraced housing complex set directly in the water

  • Floating Homes (Marlies Rohmer et al., 2010)
    Residences that showcase innovative solutions for living on water.

  • IJburg Harbour and housing block Jonas (Orange Architects, 2023)
    Mixed-use development incorporating residential, commercial, and public spaces

  • Centrumeiland
    Self-build zone currently under construction

architour is led by Anneke Bokern and Paul Vlok. We currently have a team of 18 guides, based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven.

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Guiding Architects
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 7)

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Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 8)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 9)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 10)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 11)
Guiding Architects, tour: IJburg - Living on Reclaimed Islands (Fig. 12)
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