Dutch firm MVRDV has unveiled images of a tennis clubhouse with seating on the roof, which is to begin construction later this month in Amsterdam (+ slideshow).

MVRDV's proposal for the clubhouse features stepped bleacher-style seating on the roof that rises to a height of seven metres on one side and cascades down to ground level on the other.

"This 'Couch' can seat up to 200 spectators," the architects said, describing the curving benches from which people will be able to watch the action taking place across the 10 courts.

The clubhouse is to be built on an artificial island in IJburg and its north facade will be glazed so members can look out across the water.

A sprayed-on polymer sealant will be used to coat the building "in the same colour and texture as the clay tennis courts."

Changing rooms, a kitchen, storage and toilets will be accommodated at either end of the clubhouse, with the open-plan main space being used for various events.

Concrete and wood will be the main construction materials, with timber used for the interior. Reducing the amount of glazing on the south facade and introducing natural ventilation will help to improve the building's energy efficiency.

The project was developed with fellow Dutch architects Studio Bouwkunde and structural engineers ABT. It is scheduled for completion by summer 2014.

Here's some information from MVRDV:

The Couch

Tennisclub IJburg and MVRDV announce that permission has been granted to start construction of The Couch, a new club house for the young tennis club, which was founded in 2010 on a new artificial island in the east of Amsterdam. The roof of the 322 square metre club house, designed by MVRDV, is folded upwards and downwards to act as an informal spectator tribune for the club. Construction will start this month, with completion expected before summer 2014.

The club house is a long open volume with services on either side such as dressing rooms, a kitchen, storage and toilets. The main space is multifunctional, so it can be used for the club's many events. The roof dips down towards the south side and is raised towards the north until a height of seven metres, creating an informal tribune for the club. This 'Couch' can seat up to 200 spectators. The wide glass front to the north side allows extensive natural lighting and provides a view out over the waters of the IJ-lake.

Inside the club house, the concrete construction is clad with fsc-certified wood, with the outside fully sealed with an epdm polymer hotspray in the same colour and texture as the clay tennis courts. The reduced glass surface to the south helps to cool the building. The thermal mass characteristics of the materialisation in concrete and wood are used to reach a high degree of energy efficiency. It will be heated with district heating made efficient by a heat exchange system. In summer there will be natural ventilation, adding to the ambitious sustainable profile of the structure.

Tennisclub IJburg is located on a manmade island in the East of Amsterdam and opened in 2010. The tennis club, currently with 1100 members, has 10 clay courts and a tennis school. The new club house will be the centre of the club's activities.

MVRDV developed the clubhouse together with co-architect Studio Bouwkunde and structural engineer ABT. Contractor Ballast Nedam Bouw will realise the building, which will be MVRDV’s eighth building in Amsterdam.