The existing row of houses has been replaced by an optimized, modern version of the row house. In order to build as many houses as possible on the available site, the house width has been reduced to the minimum from the Building Regulations, namely 4.80 meters. As a result of the minimized width, in order to realize the required living area, the houses have become relatively deep. An advantageous side effect is that the facade, generally considered the most costly building component, was also reduced in proportion to the floor area; in this way, inexpensive cubic meters could be produced. To allow sufficient daylight to enter the deep house, the facade openings were maximized. This also developed an innovative concept for the exterior of the building. Storage and parking is integrated into the homes on the first floor. The access road to the parking garages is covered by terraces on the second floor. Cars disappear from the streetscape, while at the same time more privacy has been created for the roof gardens.
There's no end to it, there on the Domela Nieuwenhuisstraat in Osdorp. Last week, the row of Hartenlust houses was praised to the sky by columnist Ronald Hooft, and today they are in the spotlight again. As in the block on IJburg next door, DKV Architects and Atelier Kempe Thill are working together on the Hartenlust new construction project. The large apartment block by DKV did not make the top twenty (with the not at all bad rating of 8.3); the 22 single-family houses by Kempe Thill received an 8.9 from their residents.And the jury thought nomination was in order. "A surprising home with good value for money," judged Johanna Brown. "A lovely family home," said Natasja Keller. And Steven Delva: "The architect has clearly thought: how to make a house that should be cheap, still beautiful."
The residents are full of praise for the space, the large windows and abundant light, and especially the very distinct design of their homes. Their high appreciation is all the more striking since they would have quite a reason to complain about the workmanship. The eye-catching front façade shows persistent leakage problems and may need to be replaced at some of the homes.
"Yes, that facade was a challenge," confirms Marco Diependaal, manager of Smits Construction Company.
"It is one aluminum facade across the entire width and height, with huge windows. And the architect insisted that the facade be completely flat. That makes it quite difficult to stop leaks, because aluminum has a huge coefficient of expansion."
The front facade of one home has been replaced on a trial basis, and if that repair turns out well, the same will be done on other homes. "That damage is covered by the warranty," Diependaal assures. For Silvester Draaijer (43) and Gees van der Schoor (48), this is a detail that cannot spoil their living pleasure. They came from Geuzenveld, where their house had become too small with three children, and wanted to stay in West. The fact that this is not a classic, traditional house is precisely what Draaijer and Van der Schoor find a plus. "This is a plain house, what you see is openness. The front door slides open, there is no hallway. The staircase is prominent. This is really the house we wanted. It's a new residential vision."
The architects at Kempe Thill also had to create something special, because they were tasked with putting up a complete house on a plot less than five meters wide. "It was a challenging task for them," knows Linda Schalkwijk, area developer for Stadgenoot, the housing corporation into which client AWV has merged. "They built something new in New West."
As with the homes on Haveneiland Oost described last week, cars will be parked behind the homes, while across the enclosed "street" will be a huge terrace. Behind it again will be a large enclosed courtyard garden, which is also intended for the residents of the apartment block. Draaijer and Van der Schoor paid 350,000 euros for their home with 160 square meters of living space.
Receive updates on new construction in the region directly in your email
