hello all,
i am making a trip to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, wonder if there's any recommended building/projects you feel can not be missed when visiting these 2 cities?

(i am a junior level designer.)

there are many, but these links will be a good start:


amsterdam

rotterdam

The West-8 bridges along the waterfront in A-damn are SO good. Local kids tied ropes to them and swing into the water. Sick.

The entire waterfront in A-damn is worth seeing, do it by bike too.

Wander through the red-light district too, it is trippy. Don't try to take pictures, they will flip their shit.

Ask a local about Zwarte Piet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet

I’m jealous. I love those cities. You will have a blast.

I've been on three trips to the Netherlands and I found this guide indispensable, especially for the older mid century work.

Birkhauser Architectural Guide Netherlands

We took a lot of train rides to smaller out of the way towns to get a look at some lesser known stuff. The locals were always like "why are you here?" But, in a very friendly way that you won't find in the cities.

shameless quasi-self promotion:

Sportplaza Mercator


Jan Schaefer bridge


Both in Amsterdam. For more info (addresses etcetera), just send me an e-mail.

Other (recent) stuff you shouldn't miss seeing in Amsterdam:

Parkrand (by MVRDV), Funen (NL architects - under construction), Conservatorium (architecten cie), Hermitage (Hans van Heeswijk), De Bazel reconstruction

A bit older, but still fairly new:
ING headquarters (meyer en van schooten), Arcam (René van Zuuk), Java Eiland (the masterplan, some great projects), Silodam (MVRDV)

And more classic:
Beursgebouw (Berlage), Amsterdamse School buildings in Amsterdam oud-zuid, Oude Kerk/Nieuwe Kerk, Hollandse schouwburg...

just the first things that popped in my mind...

Thanks all you lovely people! i am googleing them with map!!!

The self guided bike tour in amsterdam is fun but not real hard core. There is a ton to see. Check out the floating houses. The Amsterdam architectural society is a big help

If you're going to Rotterdam you HAVE to see the Kunsthal and the Cube-houses! Also there's an Architecture Institute or Museum or something or other that's pretty nice.

Oooh, and the Erasmus bridge! SOOO cool!

the watercoloury Holl addition in Amsterdam is nice. Can't remember name though...

the watercoloury Holl addition in Amsterdam is nice. Can't remember name though...

SARPHATISTRAAT OFFICES
In Amsterdam, on the Singel Grach

thanx heaps!
me getting excited simply by viewing pictures of the projects!

Any one of the islands north of Centraal Station in Amsterdam......there's one in which you take the ferry located all the way to the left (I really can't remember the name of the island or the ferry), but it will take you to this island, where there is this huge warehouse. Inside the warehouse, artists and architects have set up a kind of colony. Buildings inside the warehouse, it's pretty cool. Also, on the island itself, there's old trams and people squat there. And there's also an old ship yard, really cool rusty old structures, and wide open spaces!

Did anyone mention the "Whale"?

http://www1.cie.nl/projects/architecture/residential/the-whale,-amsterdam.aspx

It's also on one of the man-made islands....and the red curvy bridge is right there as well. Really amazing sight.

Amsterdam-Noord is not an island, it's just the other side of the river. The place you mean is called "NDSM-werf", quite cool.

haven't been...but, Berlage's Exchange in Amsterdam looks pretty cool.