Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam - The public library of Amsterdam
With 28,000 m² spread over 8 levels, the Amsterdam City Library (OBA) is the second largest public library in Europe and the largest in the Netherlands. Moreover, there exist 29 branches in Amsterdam. Except holidays it is open every day from 10 am till 10 pm. The building opened in mid-2007 after leaving its previous location on Amsterdam's Prinsengracht. Besides a collection of 1.5 million books, it offers access to e-books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and games on 7 floors. The library can accommodate up to 1,000 visitors and is equipped with nearly 500 computers, with access to the internet.
Although it usually is pretty crowded, it radiates a serene and cozy atmosphere and is pretty quiet for such a huge gathering of persons. There are small separate corners and booths for people who desire more privacy for studying. The highlight of every visit is the 7th floor with the OBA Theater (300 seats) and a café-restaurant with a terrace offering spectacular views over the city. It's not properly shielded from wind and rain though and regarding taking photos, the view is slightly restricted overhead, due to the exceptionally large roof overhang.
Nemo - The Science Museum
Nemo is the largest science museum in the Netherlands. The building, designed in 1997 by star architect Renzo Piano, stands on the foundations of the IJ tunnel in the Oosterdok. It forms the entrance to the tunnel and is reminiscent of the hull of a ship. The roof is a popular meeting and viewing point. Generally, the roof is also open to non-visitors. Picnics are expressly permitted.
​
​The science center opened in 1997 under the name "New Metropolis" and was renamed in 2000 after financial problems had appeared. Around 300,000 visitors visit Nemo each year. The science centre contains exhibits from all areas of science on four levels. The focus is on hands-on experiments and technical and biological education for children.
Booking.com Campus - The new innovative headquarter of booking.com
The new light-flooded booking.com glass palace is a building of superlatives and the final project in the redesign of the Oosterdokseiland. Started in 2018 and completed in mid-2023, it was at one point one of the largest construction projects of its kind in all of Europe. At times up to 10,000 people worked on the construction site. The new 65,000 m² campus, at the eastern end of the island, now houses all of booking.com's more than 6,500 employees in Amsterdam and serves as the company's official international headquarters.
​
The ultra-modern building uses sensors everywhere to function like an ecosystem, automatically regulating lighting and temperature based on actual occupancy and usage. Nearly 400 water-saving toilets were installed. The campus includes 28 common rooms and specially designed cubicles that provide a certain level of isolation for working, so-called “focus booths”.
​
There are 832 solar panels on the roof, heating and cooling is controlled, so that both hot and cold air can be stored and recovered deep underground in summer and winter. There are more than 11,000 plants in the building, including 7 trees and its own underground car park with space for more than 2,500 bicycles.
​
On the campus itself, 3 restaurants ensure that 1,650 people can be served at the same time. There is also a roof terrace as well as 3 professional barista bars and a tea bar. The lowest floor, expected to be completed in 2024, is intended for various leisure activities, restaurants and commercial spaces.
Construction works still in progress in 2023
