The project fits a modern neighbourhood seamlessly in a historic urban context. We took an urban approach towards the historic instead of an architectural. The urban structure of Delft stood model for the plan. (Delfshaven was traditionally the port city of Delft.) The urban fabric of squares and alleys integrates the project seamlessly in the surrounding context. The resulting urban space is surprising and transparent. The alleys offer glimpses towards the historic monuments opposite the harbour and create a small scale pedestrian friendly area.
Housing association Woonbron asked us to join the competition for the redevelopment of a small neighborhood block on the border between the valued monumental Historic Delfshaven and the socially challenged neighborhood Delfshaven. Woonbron set out to attract new target groups to the area as part of their social responsibility to strengthen neighborhoods. 54 social apartments were going to be replaced by (about) 35 free market dwellings. This type of development for the free market by housing associations in The Netherlands has been under fire since the bank-crisis of 2008 that hit the construction sector hard. Just in this period the commission for the project came about and it turned out to be one of the last private developments carried out by Woonbron of that period, as it was completed in 2012.
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