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locationGood Neighbors (goede buren) is a special initiative that has emerged from a common desire between Triade and a group of households, now numbering one hundred and forty, to form a community where neighborly support for each other is a shared and common value.Lot L in the Homeruskwartier is due to its location and size perfect for the realization of Good Neighbors.. Over 3 hectares in area, lot L provides room for approximately 120 to 130 residences, an ideal number of households for the optimal functioning of the concept. The lot is also situated excellently in terms of future services such as public transport and shops. An intensive pre-project trajectory provided a good overview of the wishes and demands of future residents concerning types of housing, parking facilities, public spaces and the composition of the neighborhood.

good neighbors, almere

130 residences, 15 residential-care groups, comm

unity services

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social urban development

The neighborhood is built around a number courtyards which are all connected to the central space. From the central space, automobiles can access parking spaces which are arranged in small clusters between the courtyards, thereby leaving the courtyards free of cars.

Both the back and front gardens of the residences border on these courtyards. Hedges planted in the transitional space between the private and communal areas provide a green image for the neighborhood. We consciously decided to refrain from completely designing the communal areas. We are leaving this to the residents. To design one’s living space together is not only fun but also leads to a stronger bond between the neighbors.

The participants of Good Neighbors have greatly diverging housing needs ranging from apartments to free-standing houses and everything else in between. In this neighborhood the different residential types are intermingled, thereby creating a playful and relaxed image that fits the initiative well.

spatial coherence

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network informal routes

distributed compact parking

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residents’ initiativeA clear picture of the group composition (household types, age groups etc.) and their residential needs and expectations concerning the neighborhood emerged from research carried out on a large group of future residents by the USP Marketing Consultancy. Furthermore through this study, we could map the manner in which the residents desired to and were capable of contributing to the neighborhood help principle and the common services in the area.We have tested the research results ‘live’ during both a meeting and in a neighborhood party. In this manner we gained additional information over the desires and ideas the residents have over the setup of this special neighborhood. The research formed a starting point for the urban development sketches in which the residential needs of Good Neighbors are visible and well represented in the plan.

hvdn architectenkrelis louwenstraat 1 B28 1055 ka amsterdamt +31(0)20 688 5025f +31(0)20 688 4793www.hvdn.nlinfo@hvdn.nl

project information

good neighbors, almereaddress: lot L, homeruskwartierdesign team: arie van der neut, albert herder, niclas von taboritzkiclient: triade, stadgenoot, ballast nedamdesign: 2009illustrations: sabine heine