Green Market

• 13 social housing units in sheltered housing and 27 owner-occupied units
• City Center

Project description
The Groenmarkt project is located on Marnixstraat in the city's downtown district. It consists of 40 homes, thirteen of which are life-proof social rental homes for people who need to live in a protected housing environment. The remaining homes are owner-occupied units ranging in size from 80 to 170 m2. The roof is completely designed as a roof garden with a dune landscape and a natural swimming pool. During the selection process, local residents were allowed to help decide on the design.

The project consists of two new construction blocks with a car-free neighborhood square in between with play facilities for children.

The Marnixstraat block is a classic, clunky brick building with 4 residences that blends modestly and naturally into the protected 19th century cityscape. On the first floor are small-scale commercial spaces.

The Singelgracht block is a contemporary building with 36 homes and is located on the waterfront. On the second floor is a cluster of social rented care homes with a collective living room and dining kitchen. There are outdoor spaces and bay windows on all sides of the block. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides optimal contact with the square and quay. Underneath the building are 22 parking spaces. The facades are overgrown with plants grounded in the ground at ground level and space is reserved for birds, insects, butterflies and bats.

On all fronts, it is a sustainable building with attention to people, plants and animals. The roof is used to collect, clean and reuse rainwater.