De Regulateur was designed by De Zwarte Hond and is part of the Grunobuurt, where the agency also created the urban development plan and designed the previously completed housing blocks Typhoon and Tractie. The building was developed through a close and long-term collaboration between Nijestee, Trebbe, and De Zwarte Hond, with the aim of enabling healthier and happier living.
The Regulateur is a compact residential building with 105 apartments arranged around a courtyard garden. There are 79 social rental apartments and 26 mid-market rental apartments. Typologically, the design is based on Groningen’s traditional hofjes (almshouses). In addition to the greenery in the courtyard garden, greenery will also grow up along the inner façades. All the housing types are oriented towards this inner garden by positioning the outdoor space on this side. In addition to the living space, the extra-high ground floor provides space for two social and commercial spaces that will boost the neighbourhood, as well as shared bicycle storage.The stepped residential building ranges from three to seven storeys and features unique brickwork that appears to consist of a repeated header bond. The rooftops are covered with sedum in combination with solar panels. Parking is solved centrally in the neighbourhood in a parking garage. This has created space for a garden in the courtyard with lots of greenery, a wadi to store rainwater and places to spend time and meet other residents.