Kimmy InAMSTERDAM

http://kimberlypalmer.shutterfly.com/

We started out our day by visiting an old social housing neighborhood built by the New Amsterdam School of Design of the 1920s. It wasn't so much as school as much as it was a movement for reform. The architecture that we saw was focused on building housing for the day laborers in a cost-effective way by getting creative with form and everyday materials.

Next we went to the NDSM Warf. The NDSM Warf was created in 1999 by a group of artists who needed cheap spaces to rent to create and were running out of room in the city. There are all types of artists working over there - painters, sculptures, theatre artists, graphic design, etc. The Dutch government basically gave them a lease to the abandoned shipyards just North of the city centre to run free with. They have brought life, culture and personality to the warf. It's a neat little community. There's a couple bar/cafe/restaurants in the warf. As well as, abundant space and a skate park for little kids in a big, open hanger.

It was a really fun day; I just wish it was a little warmer so I could have enjoyed it a little more. I'll definitely be going back in the spring when it's more lively. In the summers, they hold big concerts on one of ship/loading ramps.

Here's some pictures, but check out my Shutterfly site too (I'll be upload most pictures up there from now on):