Oldenerbroek, Zwolle

The landscape along the IJssel River is characterized by small utilitarian structures, often brick factories, and is dominated by the dike. Oldenerbroek is a new residential neighborhood on the edge of the city of Zwolle, where the urban fabric transitions into the river landscape. To mark this transition, the last houses along the edge are designed as small beacons.

Seven beacons in a row form a new ensemble that relates the scale of the city’s edge to the surrounding landscape. Each building contains four homes: two ground-level units within the main volume and two stacked homes in the rounded end. All ground-floor homes have large gardens surrounding them, while the upper units feature a round living room.

The roof is designed with a high railing all around to allow for a roof room with a terrace.

The expression of the buildings is inspired by industrial architecture. The predominantly wooden structure rests on a steel ring supported by concrete stilts. The wooden frame is clad with horizontal siding panels at the lower level, while the upper part is left open.


Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol
Team: M. Lette, X. Arets, L. Wajer
Number: 9301
Status: Built
Year: 1993-1995
Client: Wilma Bouw, Zwolle

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