The ultimate residential dream

“I’m a film maker myself and Strijp‑S attracts creative people”, Arantja Rosalina (26) explains. “That’s why I’ve always wanted to live in Strijp‑S and I kept an eye on everything that was happening there.” That’s how I heard about the new development project SPACE‑S. I was enthusiastic immediately.” Rosalina reserved one of the available apartments with workspace in September 2014. She’ll be one of the first residents of SPACE‑S at the end of November.

Tejo Verdonschot (66) will be one of her neighbours. “I went to the FeelGood Market at Strijp‑S every month and about three years ago I spotted a stall for SPACE‑S. I had recently divorced and I was looking for a new home. The Space‑S concept immediately appealed to me, so I went to the first meeting about the project and subsequently reserved an apartment that was as spacious as possible.”

Not standard

Meanwhile, all 61 lofts in the complex have been reserved and only three of the hundred and forty apartments are available. For students only thirty of the 86 rooms are available and 23 of the 53 slightly bigger studios. The living/work spaces, like Rosalina’s, have almost all gone. And the 41 apartments for sheltered housing have all been reserved. The SPACE‑S project is very unique.

In 2012 housing association Woonbedrijf bought a plot of land measuring 30,000 square metres between the Torenallee and Natlab on Strijp‑S. “We had space for about 400 homes, but we didn’t just want to develop standard newbuilds”, says Angelique Bellemakers, district manager Strijp for Woonbedrijf. “We wanted to add something, really create a new part of the city. But did we actually know what residents would want if they could determine this themselves? We wondered about that.”

To find out, they asked people through Facebook to share their dream home and help think about the interpretation of the large building plot at Strijp‑S. “The number of responses through Facebook exceeded our wildest expectations”, Bellemakers admits. “Together with interested residents in various meetings we recorded the SPACE‑S DNA, so the urban planning architect could set to work.”

Relationships

What exactly is that DNA? Both Rosalina and Verdonschot indicate that the social and green aspects of the project really appeal to them. “You get to know your neighbours through the different meetings and workgroups before the first brick has even been laid”, says Rosalina. The new development project attracts a variety of people. From young to old and from families to singles. But everyone has a link with creativity and feels strongly about social importance. “There is a group of people, for instance, that has camped on the site a few times. And we have decided to pay slightly more rent, so that sheltered housing residents can work on site in return for payment. They will take care of the plants and shrubs on site, for instance”, Rosalina explains.

Verdonschot has a pioneering role in the workgroup that is in charge of the green areas, such as the roof terrace where the herb gardens are planned and the park land among the buildings. “I’ve always had a thing with gardening. I’m not a volunteer with the Nature Watch Youth Group in Sint‑Oedenrode for nothing. We build nesting boxes with youths up to twelve years old, for example. We will probably install these in the SPACE‑S public space as well, just like an insect hotel.”

He also finds the concept of being invited to help brainstorm and the contact with his future neighbours very interesting. “We get together every month to discuss things and we usually have a drink in one of the pavement cafes while we’re at it. Very enjoyable.” According to Rosalina, two relationships have even blossomed from the preparatory meetings. “Which is a bit of a shame really, because these people now have to step out of the project because they need a bigger house”, she laughs.

Exemplary function

It’s evident that SPACE‑S is a good match for the creative and entrepreneurial Strijp‑S with its mix of residents who have contributed themselves to the design of the buildings and the exterior spaces. But what does SPACE‑S add to its environment? According to Bellemakers, it certainly makes for a strong exemplary project for Strijp‑S in housing development with a tight‑knit community of residents. In addition, SPACE‑S will get a community hall where everyone is welcome, even people who live down the road. Rosalina thinks that the SPACE‑S residents will also add liveliness. “Strijp‑S is still very much a nice‑weather and fun‑events place. Once we’ve moved here, it will be more like a real neighbourhood.”