Social housing design takes on new dimension
LONDON: One architect is single-handedly lifting the quality of design and embracability of community in the social housing sector.
Housing corporation De Key is developing 216 social housing apartments for people up to the age of 28 years old.
This special project shows that tall towers and quality living can go hand in hand in the social sector. Residents can meet in the double-height communal area downstairs and exercise on the roof and almost all the apartments will have balconies.
Five building blocks will be created between the central axis of Mahlerlaan and the parallel ring road A10, the first of which is the large and centrally located Eastern Development Field. The U-shaped building block embraces a spacious communal courtyard with a parceled plan and three towers.
Along the north side stand the two towers of residential building De Puls, by VMX Architects and MVSA architects. On the south side, the 80mhigh high Stepstone is the third tower. Each has its own character, clearly responsive to the other two. On a larger scale, this continues the checkerboard pattern of staggered high-rise buildings.
Stepstone is a light and open residential tower with panoramic balconies that are draped around the volume. It combines the stateliness of an urban tower with the dynamics of a lively residential area. To this end, the long vertical lines in the prefab concrete elements work together with parts inlaid with recycled green glass.
On the street, a double-height passage connects the front to an inner courtyard, via a communal meeting space for residents. The shared space is a special feature. Residents can freely use it to meet up, organise events or work.
The roof terrace offers room for sports, with spectacular views through the high glass fronts all-around. The façade ends in a more formal, straight crown at the front, while at the rear it is tapered and staggered to create a softer transition to the inner courtyard.
Great care was taken in producing a smart layout of the apartments, ranging from 25 to 60 sq m, with maisonettes in the crown. With a view to the future, the construction and installations have been designed in such a way that it is possible to transform the apartments into larger homes.
