SET, Amsterdam

In Amsterdam,on a precious, loved location for the inhabitants of IJburg,we have created a temporary residential projectfor students and former refugees, named SET. The building is L-shaped and the volume steps down in two directions. This way we have made sure the volume of SET is not to dominating, the sunlight can still reach the public space andallows views from neighbouring buildings for natural surveillance which enhances the social security. The complex is constructed withmodular elements size3x6mcreating two kinds of dwellings with different sizes. Thehousingblockcan be taken apart again to the modular components to be reused elsewhere.

The designed housing complex offers a unique mix of dwellings for both students and former refugees/asylum seeker. Shared facilities like a meetingroom and laudryrooms create natural meetingzones in the building facilitating social interaction. This enables the asylem seekers to integrate with Dutch people, learn the language and get acquainted with the local customs. The shared public space on the outside facilitates informal meeting between de residents of the block and people from the surrounding neighborhood. The design of SET responds to a number of important societal challenges: housing for asylum seekers with a residence permit, accelerating housing production and modular construction as an answer to circularity. With its high quality appearance, SET doesn’t feel like a temporary, modular building but looks like a permanent housing block fitting in perfectly with the surrounding blocks . The modular construction method allowed the building to be erected in three months. It can also be taken apart again to re-use the same homes at a different location. Not the building, but the place is temporary. SET is a perfect example of modular, circular building also offering a great solution for a big social issue, the integration of newcomers into our society, We hope our project will inspire other cities to develop similar projects and make the world a better and more welcoming place.