Richard Holkade, Haarlem

Residents of this new building project were very keen from the start for this housing project to provide play areas for children of all ages. We decided to place three curved blocks almost next to each other, creating a large inner inner courtyard. The round forms of the buildings heighten the sense of enclosure, sanctuary and security. The parkland setting of the three building sections means that the buildings are always seen from the front - on all sides, and this is a challenge for the architect. This is reflected in the kind of housing units made. Both on the internal and external side of each block houses have been positioned in such a way that the different storeys face different directions. The houses are 'interwoven' as it were, and look out over the green space outside the complex as well as keeping an eye on the inner courtyard. All of the houses also feature a glass roof that runs the length of the rounded ridge, giving each one its very own room under the stars.


Architect: Liesbeth van der Pol
Team: J.J. Roeten, M. Fredriks, R. Lorenz, M. de Vries
Number: 9508
Status: Built
Year: 1995 - 1999
Client: Préwoondiensten, Haarlem

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