Flexible Living in a Modernist Estate

Zaandam

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Netherlands
Tablet - Desktop
Mobile
Tablet - Desktop
Mobile
Tablet - Desktop
Mobile
Tablet - Desktop
Mobile

Client

State Architect with City of Zaandam and Rochdale

Project

Densification study for post-war modernist housing estate

Stages

2021 Study

Team

Engy Khaled, Evert Dorresteijn, Nazar Gresko, Sarah Wolff
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture: Paula Bloma, Kornelija Chaleckyte, Natasha de Graaf

We changed

Investigation how to diversify and densify the housing offer with flexible building types.

Transformation

+ Enriching a monotonous housing choice
+ Focus on various types of flexible housing solution with the possibility of hosting a variety of different lifestyles, and possibilities for future adjustment
+ Smart densification as well as transformation of the existing buildings, contributing to the improvement of the whole neighbourhood

Climate

+ Application of low impact standards in construction, energy, mobility

Collaboration

+ In collaboration with students of the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture
Different times followed different paradigms of urbanization. The modern era of the 20th century focussed on optimizations of homes and amenities, efficient design and fast construction. However, the generous spatial layout, with abundantly fl owing green systems, and walkable distances between home, kindergartens, schools and shops came with often uniform and inflexible flat types. As a result, the modern neighbourhoods served the first generation of inhabitants well, but offered little choice once new ideas of living emerged with changing times and with the diversification of lifestyles and cultures. We deal with the challenges of modern neighbourhoods in all parts of the world: in West and East, in North and South, in capitalism as well as in communism.
This study of a modern neighbourhood for workers in Amsterdam region investigates how to enrich the housing choice through careful infill or part replacement with various types of flexible housing solutions. Four typical block types offer diff erent ways to offer a new place close to family and friends for residents that want to ‘grow’ within their own neighbourhood, or to attract a new demographic group of residents. Areas that were until now quite repetitive and lacked ‘personality’ get their new individual twist. This establishes flexibility and personality within the district. Change is possible whilst improving the social cohesiveness.

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