Amfora, an acronym for ‘Alternative MultiFunctional underground/Ondergronds space/Ruimte Amsterdam’, involves a sustainable 6-storeyed urban expansion under Amsterdam’s system of historic canals. Underground densification in the heart of the city will improve the social climate above-ground. The traffic will be accommodated below ground level and the grandeur of the historic cityscape around the canals will be restored. It will also lead to the development of more room for green space at street level.

Amfora Amstel was developed by Strukton and was designed by Zwarts & Jansma Architects in close collaboration with Royal Theatre Carré and Intercontinental Amstel Amsterdam. This feasible plan gives concrete shape to Strukton’s much-discussed Amfora concept, an urban expansion programme involving the development of multifunctional facilities under the canals of Amsterdam.