Building [collective identity] together.
As part of the architectural research project, “Ons Huis: de toekomst van het Buurthuis”, Studio Locus has organised a series of workshops. These workshops are carried out at each location of the exhibition, which travels through Amsterdam Noord between October 2024-October 2025. They aim to investigate, together with local inhabitants, how architecture can actively build connections between people and empower communities.
Studio Locus has chosen to work with local clay for these workshops. Being one of the few building materials that can be found readily, close by and requiring little extra industrial processing. By organizing these workshops, we investigate how the community center can transform from a building for the community into a space by and of the community, where every tile tells a piece of the collective story.
The initiative to collect local clay together with residents and create "neighborhood tiles" is a powerful symbol of the community center of the future. This project connects the physical environment with the social structure of Amsterdam-Noord and highlights the importance of sustainability, community, and local craftsmanship. The tiles, made from clay sourced from different neighborhoods, represent both the diversity of the districts and the unity that arises through co-creation. They become tangible stories of the city district, where the past, present, and future converge.
Studio Locus is collaborating with Kirstie van Noort, a material researcher and ceramicist, who’s work reinforces this concept. Her approach to craftsmanship—focusing on sustainability, the use of natural and residual materials, and an aesthetic that embraces the power of nature—aligns seamlessly with the values that Studio Locus sees as essential for the future of architecture. By bringing her expertise and passion for making, the project gains not only artistic depth but also a conscious ecological and social foundation.
Together with Kirstie and the residents, we are not just creating physical objects; we are building a collective identity. The tiles become a lasting reminder of neighborhood collaboration and connection, showcasing how architecture and art can contribute to resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
When we connect the history of Amsterdam-Noord to the vision of the future outlined in the project "Ons Huis: the Future of the Community Center", we see that the core values of the community center—connection, empowerment, and community—remain relevant but must adapt to contemporary challenges. Community centers are no longer just places for the most disadvantaged but function as inclusive spaces where people from diverse backgrounds and generations come together to build stronger communities. In an era where cities face challenges such as political polarization, housing shortages, climate change, and social isolation, the community center provides a platform for creative solutions, civic engagement, and strengthening social cohesion.
The role of the community center in the future lies in creating sustainable, empathetic, and accessible spaces that reflect the diversity and dynamism of the neighborhood. Whereas in the past, segregation occurred along ideological lines, modern community centers have the potential to break down these divisions and connect a wide range of residents—from newcomers to long-established locals. They continue to function not only as hubs for recreation and education but also as incubators for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social action.
The exhibition is currently being shown (feb 2025) at Buurthuis the Bol in the Kleine Wereld. And it’s next stop is de Evenaar in Tuindorp Oostzaan. For more information on the exhibition locations, events and workshop dates, click here.
Location: Verschillende locaties in Amsterdam Noord
Collaborators: Kirstie van Noort
Partners: Stimuleringsfonds, AFK, Gemeente Amsterdam, Museum Amsterdam Noord
Installaties: Studio Locus, Buurthuis de Bol, de Modestraat, De Evenaar, Museum Amsterdam Noord
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