“Comeniusstraat 199,” a memory whispers from these walls. Here at the Sloterhof, we find ourselves amidst a unique housing project.
Completed in 1958-59, the Sloterhof stands as a testament to post-war reconstruction architecture. Architect J.F. Berghoef, despite his traditional leanings, embraced modern industrial materials for this project. He was rooted in the Delft School. This school preferred materials like wood, natural stone and brick.
The Sloterhof is made of thirteen portico flats with four floors, three high-rise blocks with seven floors, a tower flat with twelve floors and a block with studio apartments.
The Sloterhof is a prime example of system construction, employing the Nemavo-Airey system. This involved assembling steel, concrete, and wood prefab components. It was the first time this system was used for taller residential buildings.
Notice the portico flats. They feature stacked apartments with a staircase at the front leading to the stairwell. At the rear, a gallery provides access to the storage rooms.
The three larger flat blocks are built partially over a decorative canal. See the “pilotis,” the pillars elevating the buildings. The storage rooms are on the ground floor. Above, you’ll find apartments for singles and maisonettes with two floors. The galleries provide access to both the upper and lower floors of these maisonettes.
Look towards Hemsterhuisstraat. The tower flat there is adorned with a sgraffito artwork by Jan Goeting. It decorates the entrance area under the canopy.
The Sloterhof also includes gas stations with garages. The shops are perpendicular to the Johan Huizingalaan. Also notice the two restaurants at the roundabout under the viaduct. Nine of the thirteen portico flats have shops on the north side.
Like the Amstelhof complex, the Sloterhof was privately owned. It remains largely original due to a lack of major investments and renovations.
In 2008, the Sloterhof gained the status of a municipal monument. Then, in 2016, it was placed on the list of national monuments.
A paint job started in 2008 was halted. This was because the original colors weren’t being used. Research has since determined the correct colors. The painting has continued on the flats with shops on either side of the Johan Huizingalaan. The remaining flats and high-rise blocks will be painted later.
The Sloterhof embodies modernist principles, with its rows of residential buildings. A tower marks the western edge. Lower buildings alternate with taller ones. The taller buildings stand over a canal that runs the length of the complex.
The architect saw system construction as a temporary solution to the housing shortage. The careful arrangement of galleries and balconies adds rhythm to the facades. Strips of garages divide the spaces into smaller segments.
The Sloterhof includes 658 rental units. It also has space for shops and restaurants.
Imagine children playing football between these flats, their jackets marking the goals. Maybe someone even stole their first kiss here, just like the memories echoing in these walls. The Sloterhof is more than just buildings. It is a collection of homes and memories.