Danish architecture studio BIG and Dutch studio Barcode Architects have unveiled the angular Sluishuis housing block above the IJ lake in Amsterdam's IJburg district.

Built on an artificial island in the IJ lake, the square housing block surrounds an internal harbour with a double cantilever that forms a gateway from the lake.

"Our Sluishuis is conceived as a city block of downtown Amsterdam floating in the IJ lake, complete with all aspects of city life," said BIG founding partner Bjarke Ingels.

"Towards the city, the building kneels down to invite visitors to climb its roof and enjoy the panoramic view of the new neighborhoods on the IJ."

Described by the architecture studios as "a new landmark for IJburg" the housing development contains 442 owner-occupied and rental apartments.

The building has a distinctive shape, with blocks on two sides of the square cantilevered to create a cut-out above the water and the other two blocks stepping down to create terraces with apartments opening out on top balconies.

"With iconic architecture, as well as new housing typologies, high-quality outdoor spaces, and breathtaking views of the IJmeer, Sluishuis is a new landmark for IJburg as well as Amsterdam," said Barcode Architects founding partner Dirk Peters.

The four blocks enclose a courtyard that steps down to the water. On the ground floor, opening up to the courtyard, are a sailing school, a water sports centre and a restaurant with a large terrace.

"Toward the water, Sluishuis rises from the river, opening a gigantic gate for boats to enter and dock in the port," added Ingels. "A building inside the port, with a port inside the building."

Above the ground floor the blocks, which were clad in aluminium to reflect the surrounding water, contain a range of different-sized apartments from studios to penthouses.

The top two floors contain duplex penthouses, while the apartments within the cantilever have views directly down to the water.

Where the blocks step down to create terraces they are clad in timber to contrast with the external aluminium finish.

Two long staircases climb the two angled facades leading to a public green roof and garden with a rooftop walkway.

Alongside the housing block, the development contains a pier that has moorings for 34 houseboats and berths for 54 pleasure crafts.

Founded by Ingels in 2005, BIG is one of the world's best-known architecture studios. Other distinctive housing developments completed by the studio include a prefabricated timber housing block in Stockholm designed to be a "manmade hillside" and a "winding wall" of affordable housing in Copenhagen.

The photography is by Ossip van Duivenbode.

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