Punt Sniep turns a central Diemen peninsula into a lively, vehicle-free community with 202 precisely designed homes. Situated between the Muidertrekvaart and Weespertrekvaart waterways, it features a distinctive identity along the route to Amsterdam. A thoughtfully arranged sequence of buildings creates four key public spaces: a waterfront square, a harbor, a green courtyard, and an entrance zone. These spaces are interconnected both functionally and visually with the buildings, fostering social interactions among residents. The design balances high-density housing with ample greenery and waterfronts. Well-planned interfaces between private and public areas help build community, fulfilling the neighborhood’s goal of being within cycling distance of the city.
Four Zones, One Connected Community
The entrance plaza opens the peninsula to visitors. The visitors’ car park is fully integrated into the landscape, with grass-concrete paving that blends parking into the landscape. Lush planting separates pedestrian zones from the car park, creating a buffer of abundant greenery. A communal lobby at the entrance brings residents together for shared activities.
The green courtyard sits at the heart of the development, accessible to all. Designed as an arboretum with various tree species and grassland, it provides food and nesting opportunities for birds, butterflies, bees, and insects. A custom-built greenhouse allows residents to practice urban gardening together. The courtyard’s center accommodates various activities from informal play to neighborhood barbecues.
The harbor invites maritime recreation and water connection are central to the design. The Muidertrekvaart links residents to Amsterdam by boat. A wooden tribune offers a space for socializing, relaxing, and enjoying the sun. An elevated seating area provides views of the water and is built around a landmark tree situated above the parking garage.
The waterfront square at the peninsula’s tip serves as Punt Sniep’s central gathering spot. Its urban landscape has a sculptural feel that emphasizes the water around the site. The prominent square faces south and west. A vibrant ground-floor program includes gastronomy venues that foster social interaction. A pedestrian bridge links the development to Diemen’s historic city center, thoughtfully referencing the area’s nautical history.
Greenery Above, Function Below
What makes Punt Sniep distinctive is its combination of high-density residential development with mature trees. The parking structure lies beneath an undulating, playful landscape. This topography enables the planting of large trees above the 182 underground parking spaces. At three strategic points, the ground level rises to accommodate mature trees. At the waterfront square, trees grow in specially designed bunkers within the garage itself. Durable, recurring materials, including concrete, steel, and wood, celebrate the site’s rich maritime history, creating visual unity. There’s a continuous carpet of natural stone along the entire peninsula that connects all areas, marks the car-free zone, and unifies the project.
Punt Sniep
Design: KCAP
Client: ABC Planontwikkeling + Nedreim (original commission); Vesteda (turnkey acquisition/owner)
Developer: ABC Planontwikkeling + Nedreim
Collaborators: Gemeente Diemen
Advisors: ABC Nova (project management), MoBius Consult (sustainability), J. van Toorenburg BV (installations), van Rossum (construction)
Contractor: Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling B.V. and Kleywegen
Photography: Aiste Rakauskaite, Jan Bitter & Fred Tigelaar