This interior courtyard in Rotterdam, created due to a shift in the urban grid, has been empty for decades ever since the car dealership that used to occupy the plot was demolished. The client wanted something better than an empty grass field for the neighbourhood. Something that would contribute to the community rather than just stand empty.

So we got to sketching. It’s an odd triangular plot between two buildings so what became important were two things: what would best benefit the neighbourhood and how to best fit any new buildings onto a triangle.

The vision is one that fits in comfortably with its neighbours, while adding four new houses which are genuinely affordable. Houses designed for first time buyers, new families, people aging in place, artists.

It took a lot of variations and options so we worked quickly with iterative sketches to test options in plan and section but also in terms of how the project would feel if you walked onto it.

Gone are the chain link fences and masses of brambles, and in their place is a welcoming extension of the neighbourhood nestled between the existing blocks and under the large trees at either end of the site.
We’re currently in talks with the city government to see if this vision can become a reality.