Gizmodo: amsterdam

Abandoned Silos to Be Converted Into Amazing Inside-and-Out Climbing Walls

Adam Frucci — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:40:00 EDT

What do you do with three abandoned sewage treatment silos? If you're the city of Amsterdam, you convert them into absolutely incredible climbing towers.

These incredible structures are the results of a contest to determine their best adaptive reuse, won by Amsterdam's own NL Architects. The towers now have climbing surfaces both inside and out as well as multi-purpose areas, offices, restaurants and other commercial spaces. How cool is that?

[Designboom via Inhabitat]

Building-Mounted Hammock is a Scary Space Saver

Sean Fallon — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:20:00 EDT

I'm all about space-saving, but I draw the line at being suspended from a swinging hammock several stories up on a building. Nonetheless, that is exactly what the Hammokum is designed for.

More specifically, the Hammokum concept was designed for the scary space-saving needs of Amsterdam residents. And don't worry, should anything happen, a safety harness would prevent you from plummeting to your death. Still, the team at G10 Design are adamant that the hammock not be used while drinking, taking drugs or having sex. In other words, everything that makes Amsterdam great. [G10 Design via The Design Blog]

Airplane Crashes Breaking In Three Pieces, Only Nine Dead

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:33:00 EST

A Boeing 737-800 has crashed this morning at the Schipol Airport, in Amsterdam, breaking in three pieces. The amazing news: Only ~~five~~ out of 135 people are dead. Update: Some sources are reporting nine dead.

They weren't as lucky as the Hudson waterlanding passengers, but close enough. Apparently, the place was about to land when it all happened, according to passengers and witnesses on the ground:

We felt something odd was going on. The plane spun out of control and then we landed with a thud in a field and saw one of the engines break off. Everything happened so quickly within a few seconds, so we didn't even have time to panic.

While landing in a normal fashion, a situation such as an air hole took place and the airplane went out of control and crashed. Everything took place in a matter of 3-5 seconds. We landed on a field. The pilot had announced that the plane would land at the Schipol Airport in 15 minutes. We crashed after 7-8 minutes following the pilot's announcement.

Looking at the photos and the vide, it's amazing that there was no fire and only five were dead. Early witnesses reports point to the possibility of the plane stalling just when it was about to touchdown. [Telegraph UK and Times Online]

80,000-Brick Lego Ferrari F1 Needs Giant Schumacher Minifig

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EDT

I don't know what can I say about this gigantic 80,000-brick Lego Ferrari model except that 1) it's amazing, 2) it's a blow up of the Ferrari F1 Racer 1:8 that I bought earlier this year in my trip to Lego's Factory, and 3) it was unveiled in the Netherlands for a special Lego event that started yesterday. A close up and another simulated-Lego Ferrari car that can actually drive after the jump.

The lucky guy riding the car is dutch kids TV presenter Leon Krijgsman, who went through the streets driving this Lego kart.

No need to build this beast to get into our Lego minifig contest, but you definitely need to race now, with only two weeks go to. If you want to participate and win one of the priceless classic vintage sets we are giving away. You only need to send your entry to us as soon as possible because the end of the month deadline is quickly approaching. Entries keep pouring in, but it's never too late. You still have 15 days to go.

If you want to participate, check the contest rules here and send your video now. [Comunicadores via Geekologie]

Craneway Office Building Makes Me Want to Move to Amsterdam

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EDT

I know it's an office building, but really, I want to have an apartment at the Kraanspoor, this beautiful glass and steel structure constructed over an old craneway at a former shipyard in Amsterdam. The titanic 134,548-square-foot edifice is 885 feet long and 45.2 feet wide has a perfect view over the largest waterway in the city. Add the book staircase somewhere in there, and I'm moving again. [Archdaily]

Silicon Graphics Refrigerator

johnb — Wed, 10 May 2006 12:37:40 EDT

Sure, the company may be going belly-up, but that doesn't mean you can't still pop a cold one. This case mod melds the best of two worlds—antiquated high-end computing and mini-fridges.

This Challenge DM workstation gave up the ghost and some students in Amsterdam decided to stuff a hotel fridge inside it. The result is a perfect marriage of form and function. Old tech never dies. It just gets repurposed.

Project Page [Planet.nl via RetroThing]