“Did you know the Wibauthuis wasn’t always here?” I ask. This spot. Right where we stand. Once stood a very different building. Also called the Wibauthuis. But that one was demolished. It’s a story of contrasts really. A tale of concrete and controversy.
The original Wibauthuis was built between 1961 and 1968. It housed Amsterdam city officials. Think building inspectors and housing officers. All under one roof. Before its construction these departments were scattered across the city. The architect Norbert Gawronski designed it. He used prefabricated parts. Think of it as a giant construction kit. This sped up construction significantly.
The building was named after Floor Wibaut. He was a prominent alderman. He championed affordable housing. The original Wibauthuis stood tall for decades. It became a symbol of the city’s bureaucratic heart. Many found its design stark and unappealing. Others admired its simple functionality. Some even called it the ugliest building in the ugliest street in Amsterdam. The Wibautstraat itself was perceived negatively. Many considered it a dreary traffic artery.
But the Wibauthuis held a certain significance. It housed generations of civil servants. It was a testament to the city’s urban development. After decentralization in the 1990s the building was largely abandoned. The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) briefly occupied it. They also rented space to various businesses.
Eventually though the HvA deemed it unsuitable for modern education. The plans for the new Amstelcampus led to its demolition. The decision wasn’t without controversy. The Wibauthuis was considered for monument status. However despite protests and legal battles the building was demolished in 2007.
Today two new buildings stand here. They are part of the Amstelcampus. They include a new Wibauthuis and the Muller-Lulofshuis. This new Wibauthuis serves as a modern hub for the HvA. It’s a story of demolition and renewal. It’s a reminder that even concrete giants are not immune to change. The story of the Wibauthuis is ultimately one of evolution. A testament to Amsterdam’s dynamic urban landscape. The old Wibauthuis may be gone. Its legacy however lives on. In this new building. And in our collective memory.