Weave

This housing project, located in the North of Amsterdam, is a prefabricated, low carbon solution to address the housing needs of the future. The project aims to evoke a sense of community and place through various scales of design. On the unit scale, the rounded walls allow a warm and inviting space on the interior, while creating a playful and soft façade on the exterior. Every unit has views to either side of the street to allow for opportunity for interaction. Placing multiple units side by side creates a block that follows a form not dissimilar to a helix shape. Every unit will have direct access to the pedestrian and bicycle only street that runs throughout the site, catering to Amsterdam’s strong bicycling culture. These blocks then form the module that informs the site layout. The blocks intersect in ways that promote community interaction, as well as connection to nature. The blocks are oriented so that every unit has a communal side where there is interaction on the street level, as well as a nature side, where residents can enjoy the views and healing qualities of the tall and dense trees that surround the site. Potential expansion of the bike path to expand into the tree area to create a trail for the residents can also be seen in the site plan.

The connection concept for each module is rather simple in its approach. Notches are pre-cut into the CLT shear walls that connect with the module above. First floor modules would be added first, followed by the second-floor modules locking into the notches. By offsetting the modules from each other, a core for the stair case is created, and also allows for neighboring units to weave beside each other. Blocks of these modules can be expanded to any size, and orientated in any direction, allowing for various site-layout options. The block module allows for expansion on the ground plane, while the module could be modified in a way to allow a third or even fourth unit above to allow for vertical expansion.

The façade incorporates vertical and horizontal slats that create playful shadows on the exterior. The slats will take advantage of modern prefabrication methods to create the precise curvature and lengths required. The interior uses white walls to maximize light reflectivity which is contrasted by black accents such as the stair stringer. The windows follow the curvature of the slats, creating playful rays of light in the interior.