COVID-19 CIRCULAR RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE ACTION PLAN PAKHUIS DE ZWIJGER --------------------- 12 March 2021 by Thomas van de Sandt This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 776758 1 COVID-19 CIRCULAR RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE ACTION PLAN PAKHUIS DE ZWIJGER --------------------- 12 March 2021 by Thomas van de Sandt 2 CONTENTS PREFACE 4 1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT 5 1.1. ADAPTIVE REUSE OF PAKHUIS DE ZWIJGER 5 1.2. ORGANISATION AND BUSINESS MODEL 7 1.3. PARTNERS 8 1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE HIP-PROCESS 8 2. ANALYSIS & LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HIP PROCESS 10 2.1. ASSETS AND CHALLENGES 10 2.2. IMPACT COVID-19 ON THE BUSINESS MODEL 10 2.3. INTERNAL PRACTICES ON CIRCULARITY 11 2.4. LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS ON CIRCULAR ADAPTIVE REUSE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE 12 3. MOVING FORWARD: A FOCUS ON RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE 14 3.1. PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION 14 3.2. RESTRUCTURING GOVERNANCE 14 3.3. RESILIENT BUSINESS MODEL 15 3.4. NEW AMBITIONS 16 3.5. CIRCULAR BUSINESS PRACTICES 16 4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 17 3 PREFACE Pakhuis de Zwijger is a unique example of the It has been interesting to work on the European adaptive reuse of cultural heritage, combining Union’s Horizon 2020 “Circular models Leveraging an approachable (free) public programming Investments in Cultural heritage adaptive reuse” in a national monument with a successful (CLIC) project during this period. Amsterdam was one commercial business model. In 2020, however, of four pilots within CLIC (together with Salerno city, this has all been put to the test. In the midst of Rijeka city and Västra Götaland region), with Pakhuis the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve had to re-invent de Zwijger as its focal point. In a series of Heritage ourselves. We pivoted from being a popular Innovation Partnership (HIP) meetings we sat down cultural event venue to a broadcasting house with internal and local stakeholders, representatives with almost no in-person participation. We from academia and local and national governments had to close down the restaurant and lose co- in order to build an action plan for adaptive reuse workers. We had to quickly find new revenue of Pakhuis de Zwijger and strengthen the circular, streams to survive as an organization – and at adaptive reuse of cultural heritage in Amsterdam. the same time reconsider our strategies and operations, and think about a more robust During the HIP-process we considered our business business model. model and possible circular solutions even while the reality around us was changing. We built a community This has also forced us to re-examine our core. What of local stakeholders on circular heritage, most of is it that we don’t want to change? What defines us? which were suddenly struggling for survival. This has brought an extra dimension and sense of urgency to We have found that our deep roots within the the work we did, at the same time complicating the city of Amsterdam are part of that core. In the 15 project. years of our existence, our home base – a former cooling warehouse in the Eastern Docklands – This Local Action Plan builds on the six HIPs was given a new purpose in creating meaningful conducted during the CLIC project, sharing their connections between people and organisations most important learnings and outlining how they within the city. Now we are the main hotspot within have influenced the strategy and action plan of the city where local and national government, big Pakhuis de Zwijger. companies, financial organisations and academia meet with creative and innovative SME’s, civil Even though this report is a conclusion of Pakhuis society organisations and citizens to discuss the de Zwijger’s work on CLIC, the action plan is a living urban future. We are the launching platform of document, and it will be adapted and updated young and diverse talents, a home to cultural and according to Pakhuis de Zwijger’s needs. We plan to progressive communities within the city and a place update the action plan on a yearly basis. Pakhuis where innovative ideas are grown and cultivated. de Zwijger has always adapted its strategy to the Even though 2020 forced us close our doors to most current circumstances and possibilities and the visitors, our strong connection to local communities COVID-19 pandemic has underlined that we need to has allowed us to keep the public conversation going. continue doing so. “ Pakhuis de Zwijger has become indispensable in the city” André van Stigt – architect 4 1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT 1.1. ADAPTIVE REUSE OF PAKHUIS DE ZWIJGER Pakhuis de Zwijger was built in 1934 as a cooling warehouse for the storage of perishable goods in the Eastern Docklands of Amsterdam. The architects were J. de Bie Leuveling Tjeenk and K. Bakker and the original owner was N.V. Blauwhoedenveem- Vriesseveem. The building was named after the founding father of the Netherlands, William of Orange (nicknamed William the Silent, in Dutch Willem de Zwijger), who died 350 years before the building was officially opened. After the function of storage warehouse was no longer necessary, the building fell in disuse and was squatted for several years in the seventies and eighties. In the nineties the municipality assigned a cultural and public function The Jan Schaefer Bridge was built through Pakhuis de Zwijger to the building. However, many of the plans to develop a creative concept and connect a project developer to the initiative failed. When the Java Island – an artificial island opposite the building – was converted to a residential area in the nineties, the municipal executive decided to create the Jan Schaefer Bridge, a direct connection between the Java Island and the Eastern Docklands. Pakhuis de Zwijger lay in the direct line of this Year Ownership Exploitation development, and was under threat of being torn 1934 private: In use as cooling Blauwhoedenveem- warehouse down. By this time a group of activists (most notably Vriesseveem the members of the Cuypersgenootschap – a 1970s-1980s public: city of In disuse, squatted and foundation for the preservation of cultural heritage) Amsterdam informally used as a was already on a mission to save the building. rehearsal space for pop They were successful, and Pakhuis de Zwijger was music awarded the status of a National monument by the 1997 public: city of Plan for cultural re-use. Amsterdam Stichting Pakhuis de end of 2001. Zwijger (former informal users) in charge of By this time, the building was in quite a bad state. developing plan and finding Many structural measures had been taken to make project developer the construction of the bridge possible. Part of 2000-2001 public: city of Initial plans for re-use Amsterdam failed. Jan Schaeffer the ground floor and first floor had been removed, bridge built through as well as part of the second floor on the north the building. Plans for side. Ownership of the building passed from the demolition of entire building approved by city municipality to Stadsherstel, a private organization council. that manages and restores cultural heritage. They 2001 public: city of Successful application took on the task of renovating the building and Amsterdam as a National Monument finding tenants. It was not until 2004, however, that by members of the a structural solution was found. Architect André Cuypersgenootschap. Building saved. van Stigt worked together with the promotors of the new cultural centre – led by Egbert Fransen and 2004 private: Stadsherstel New re-development plan with owner Stadsherstel, Hester Tiggeloven – to hammer out a renovation plan architect André van and approach Stadsherstel. The major difference Stigt and cultural between this and previous plans was that the size, entrepreneurs Egbert Fransen and Hester outline and silhouette of the building were retained Tiggeloven in every way. Instead of adapting the building to 2006 - now Private: Stadsherstel In use as cultural hub with fit the requirements, the use was adapted to the different stages, studios, building. The area with the missing floors was offices and a restaurant transformed into a high-ceilinged room containing and café. the main stage. In 2006, entrepreneurs Egbert History of ownership and adaptive reuse of Pakhuis de Zwijger Fransen and Hester Tiggeloven opened the current platform for creation and innovation, bearing the same name as the building: Pakhuis de Zwijger (PdZ). 5 Exterior of Pakhuis de Zwijger today The missing floors were incorporated in the main room The organisation was made up of two business: café/ online are able to ask questions that are answered catering (PdZ Catering) and room rental (PdZ Venue) live during the program. This has allowed Pakhuis de and a foundation, creating independent programs Zwijger to continue the public conversation on the (PdZ Foundation). The building now has a main room future of cities. for around 350 people (seated) and two small rooms, for 150 and 100 people respectively, with associated Pakhuis de Zwijger is a unique monument; not just (catering) facilities such as two foyers (also an because the building is the only warehouse on the exhibition space) and a café-restaurant on the Eastern port quay that has retained its original ground floor. silhouette, and not just because of the new creative function and innovative users, but also because of PdZ Foundation, together with a large number of how the social activism and sense of place that were partners, makes about 650 programs on an annual key to prevent the demolition of this historic building basis, facilitating meaningful encounters on the now take centre stage in the programs of PdZ future of cities. The central question is “what kind of Foundation.