Little India, Almere

This project is inspired by Mughal forts in India. The enclosed building blocks are opened toward one another and designed as courtyards, with the entrances to the homes facing these communal spaces. This creates a sustainable, shared forecourt. The courtyards are interconnected by an open water feature.

At either end of the water feature stand two distinctive residential buildings. Like palaces, these privately-owned homes rise above the courtyards. The reflection in the water and the beautifully landscaped courtyards lend the entire complex a sense of serene calm. The water also serves as a rainwater catchment system.

The homes surrounding the courtyards are designed as senior residences — all primary living spaces are on the ground floor, with a guest room upstairs. These homes have pointed storage units on the exterior, which on one hand express the defensive character of the block (reminiscent of Mughal forts), and on the other hand provide sheltered outdoor space for the residents.

The formal front of each home faces the courtyard.
The outer shell of the complex is red; the inner shell is blue-green in the large courtyard and orange-yellow in the smaller one.

Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol
Team: H. Dil, K. Elffers, M. Fredriks
Number: 9302
Status: Built
Year: 1993
Client: Bruins Koopman Architecten bv

Please download the project PDF for more info about this project.