Summer Tour Centrumeiland Self-build Island 2026
See the development of the self-build island with your own eyes
Experience how Amsterdam is changing during Arcam’s architecture walks in the summer of 2026.
Discover new buildings as well as recent urban history, as a complement to the exhibition From Model to Metropolis: Urban Story Amsterdam 1986–2026.
When purchasing a walking ticket, you can also select a free Arcam ticket in the checkout to visit the exhibition!
English Dates
The 3 p.m. walk on 30 August will be in English
The Tour
Join a walk across Centrumeiland: a diverse and experimental residential neighbourhood where different forms of collective housing and self-build homes come together.
Building your own home is a dream for many. On Centrumeiland, which is still under development, approximately 1,500 to 1,700 homes are being built, 60 to 70 percent of which are self-built. The majority consists of private commissioning, complemented by several housing cooperatives.
Self-build on Centrumeiland has resulted in a wide variety of housing typologies. One example is De Warren, designed by residents in collaboration with Natrufied Architecture, the first self-build housing cooperative in the Netherlands. The building is largely constructed from reused wooden elements, which have stored more than 300 tons of CO₂ over their lifespan.
The walk continues past De Torteltuin, also a resident-designed housing cooperative developed with Natrufied Architecture, which is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2026. With a bit of luck, you may see future residents finishing their façades with recycled wood.
You will also pass Juf Nienke by SeARCH Architects. This project consists of timber housing modules, some of which are specifically allocated to teachers.
Finally, you will visit Bakstayn, completed in 2025 and designed by residents in collaboration with Time to Access. The building is inspired by the Amsterdam School style, with a façade of brickwork and terracotta-coloured concrete elements. Bakstayn is one of the ten nominees for the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2026.
Plan Your Visit
The summer walk on Centrumeiland takes place on 5 July and 30 August 2026.
Start times: 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
English: the 3:00 p.m. walk on 30 August will be in English
Meeting point:
Tickets: €15 standard