MWKZ block 3

2013

Neighborhood / Block

Housing / Residential

Netherlands

Project

The design philosophy of Utrecht De Nieuwe Defensie centers on creating a vibrant urban neighborhood that balances collective life with individual needs. Rooted in the idea that community and privacy can coexist, the masterplan integrates residential, social, and green spaces into a cohesive whole. The project combines 170 homes, including 80 social housing units, with shared facilities and a large parking structure, ensuring both accessibility and livability. Public spaces, landscaped areas, and community zones are designed to encourage interaction, foster a sense of belonging, and promote sustainable urban living. At the same time, individual residences are carefully designed to provide comfort, privacy, and identity for each household. This dual focus ensures the neighborhood thrives as a connected yet diverse community, where people can enjoy the intimacy of their own space while benefiting from shared resources and collective engagement. Through collaboration among architects, landscape designers, and urban planners, De Nieuwe Defensie redefines urban living as a harmonious blend of personal freedom and shared responsibility.

Client

BPD Ontwikkeling BV

Program

21.000m2 GFA, 170 residential units (of which 80 social housing units), collective spaces, 12.800m2 parking garage

Stages

2018 – present: all design phases all design phases and aesthetic supervision of the realization phase
2021 – present: Under Construction

Team

Evert Dorresteijn, Sarah Wolff, Chunyang Chang, Bas de Boer, Thomas Smit, Lizzy van Zon, Jochem Kolthof
SVP (masterplan), Okra (landscape), ANA Architecten, EFFEKT, CROSS, ERA Contour, Beeldenfabriek