In this study I propose a quick and cheap way to temporary convert redundant office space in the Netherlands to affordable flexibel working and living spaces for Dutch immigrants. There is a big shortage of cheap housing in the Netherlands, and people with a small income and individual housing needs are often paying big sums of money for poor housing conditions whilst not being able to live in a community to enhance collaboration and integration in the Dutch society. Converting redundant office towers to flexible temporarily housing is a cheap and efficient way form new communities for people that hope to built a better lives in the Netherlands, providing them opportunity to build and pay for there own housing needs.
The Europoint towers (SOM 1971-1975) in Rotterdam are three office towers that are 50% vacant and like most office towers they have a grid for easily dividing into rentable area. Dividing the building in rentable units from €15/month, it would be affordable for everyone to start customizing there own living space together with friends and families. Big collective shower and eating facilities will be built from the initial investments to provide new inhabitants in there basic needs. With the help of modular building elements, safety and zoning plans the former office floors can develop themselves as an indoor urban fabric of public, semi-private and private spaces for big and small communities.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Design: Johan Hanegraaf
Tutor: Oana Rades
Project Size: 10.000m²
Project Cost: €25/m²/month
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