7 neighborhoods with the most beautiful architecture in Almere

Want to dedicate part of your visit to architecture? Take one of the city walks, where you'll spend two hours visiting the most beautiful buildings and learning their stories.

1. Rainbow Neighborhood (Regenboogbuurt)

The most iconic and well-known buildings in the Rainbow Neighborhood are the "Rode Donders" (Red Thunder). These three bright red residential towers by the water are impossible to miss from the A6 highway. Designed by Liesbeth van der Pol, the towers reference the grain silos that once defined the polder landscape. The other buildings in this colorful and uniquely shaped neighborhood were inspired by the Berlin districts of Bruno Taut, Onkel Toms Hütte, and Hufeisensiedlung Britz. You can admire them on the Rainbow Neighborhood City Walk, which also takes you past Klein India, designed by Van der Pol.

^{Foto: Pluim Fotografie}

2. Filmwijk

The buildings in Filmwijk live up to the neighborhood’s name. The first part of this neighborhood was developed for the 1992 Construction Exhibition (BouwRai). It’s easily recognizable by the semicircular layout of the buildings, resembling a film reel. The participating architects were challenged to create designs that would shape the future of architecture. The look of the homes, as well as the construction methods, materials, and technology, influenced modern housing construction. On the Filmwijk City Walk, you'll pass by the best designs.

^{Foto: Geert van der Wijk}

3. Almere Centrum

An architecturally forward-thinking city like Almere naturally has a special city center. In Almere Centrum, you’ll find masterpieces by renowned architects such as René van Zuuk, Rem Koolhaas, and Herman Hertzberger. In less than a square kilometer, you can see more architectural masterpieces than in many major cities around the world. Join a guided city walk to learn more about these buildings and their creators. You’ll walk past the almost otherworldly Urban Entertainment Center by British architect William Alsop and the relatively round City Hall designed by Cees Dam.

^{Foto: Robin Visser}

4. De Buitenkans

De Buitenkans is a collection of 55 colorful buildings, ranging from detached villas to row houses. The architects who worked on this project were inspired by the theories of anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner. He believed organic architecture with slanted lines brought “cosmic inspiration.” As you stroll through this area, you’ll notice many diagonal lines and nearly no rectangular windows, roofs, or rooms. The exterior of the homes features a lot of wood, while the interiors are finished with clay plaster. The sustainability of the buildings has also been carefully considered: the rooftop greenery captures rainwater, and solar energy and heat walls are incorporated into the design.

^{Foto: Roxanne Overdijk}

5. De Realiteit

De Realiteit (The Reality) is the result of a design competition held in 1977. The key requirement was that the designs had to be modular and movable. The designers were not bound by any building codes. The winners received a 20x20 meter plot to bring their design to life. Originally, the idea was that the dream homes would be demolished after five years, but they still stand today. The result is a neighborhood with 17 unique (dream) homes that you won’t find anywhere else.

6. Oosterwold

Oosterwold, Almere’s greenest district, is a sustainable paradise. Here, almost every design is unique, and what they share in common is their organic way of construction. Those who want to live in Oosterwold can choose the location and size of their plot and decide what should be built on it. The residents themselves determine the look of the neighborhood, and they also design the public spaces. What stands out in Oosterwold is the amount of greenery, as at least half of each plot must be used for urban farming.

^{Foto: Maarten Feenstra}

7. Duin 

In the Duin neighborhood, the connection to nature is central, and even the homes have a beach vacation feel. Large apartment complexes are named after major international cities, such as “Havana,” with balconies facing the south. As you walk through the neighborhood, you'll find unique buildings with a natural touch. For example, The Shore is an office space with a green rooftop garden and large windows offering expansive views.

^{Foto: Roxanne Overdijk}

Are you planning a trip to Almere? Check out our blog, "5 unique green stays in Almere for a nature-filled getaway" or "10 Must-See Places in Almere." For more unique architecture in Almere, visit the website of Visit Almere.