The Schetsblok
Nominated for BNA Best building of the year 2019
Category Private Living Experience
In the design process of the SchetsBlok flexibility and choice of freedom were important principles. The result is a residential building with a modular hull that was developed in co-commissioning. Buyers had maximum freedom to cooperate with the architect in designing their housing needs. A successful balance between component parts and the whole building in co-commissioning.
On the ground floor of the SchetsBlok the living spaces of six maisonettes are located, with a terrace that runs into the garden around the building. This setup of the residential program on the ground floor ensures that the building has a vibrant appearance on all sides toward the public space. The design of the park around the building and the private terraces on the ground floor provide a suitable buffer between public and private areas without any fences or barriers.
In the building a large variety of homes was designed. Because of the flexible structure the buyers were free to determine the living area and the position of their home themselves, so that these could meet their housing needs and budget. Due to these decisions, the surfaces of the homes range from 46 m² to 150 m². The diversity of housing types ensures that there is a diversity of residents in the building, consisting of starters, young families, adult families, singles, couples and older people. These residents form a nice balance with the existing composition of residents in the Westlandgracht neighborhood, which consists of students and native families.
Photos: Luuk Kramer