Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-23.JPG

De Laakse Tuinen

Home is where the Laakse Garden is

Laakse Tuinen is the newest neighborhood in Vathorst. A neighborhood with lots of water and plenty of space for greenery. Large building plots and gardens alternate in an almost village-like setting. The streets are curved and there is room for green strips, trees and front gardens. The courtyards include parking spaces large enough to accommodate collective greenery and spacious private gardens. The urban design plan is by West 8, and Zecc has worked in phases over several years on homes in Gardens 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

 

The ground-level homes were designed from the Heijmans Woonconcept, but were always made specific in alignment with the urban planning conditions. For example, strong corners have been designed and extensions over one or two layers, which form a face to the street and can follow the sloping building lines of the street.

 

Ground-level homes

From large two-story houses to narrow XS houses
The plan includes a wide variety of homes. From compact starter homes with a nave size of 3.9 meters and a size of 82 m², to homes with a width of 5.4 m, 5.7 m, and 6 m, and spacious semi-detached homes of more than 160 m². In addition to different nave sizes, there are major differences in roof shape. Flat roofs alternate with longitudinal roofs, which stand out as gables at the corners.

 

Rows are placed in the central park with prominent transverse roofs. Small gable jumps, changes in roof shape and different bricks make small grains in the urban plan.

 

Transition from public to private
Much attention has been paid to the transition between public and private. First of all, all the houses are slightly elevated in relation to ground level. Two steps at the front of the house create some stateliness and a nice relationship with the street. An added benefit is that the house can withstand abundant rainfall in the future.

 

The homes have a shallow front yard with residential features that are strongly oriented to the street. In Laakse Gardens, you won't find narrow kitchen windows with high parapets. Narrow homes even have storefront doors with a platform as an additional outdoor space facing the street. The front yard is bordered with a beech hedge and a brick element is designed with a mailbox. The front door is carefully designed with unusual brickwork, black hardware, lighting and a concrete awning. At corners and at footpaths to the inner courtyards, low garden walls have been designed with special fencing, through which greenery grows.

 

Gates to the green parking courts
Parking facilities for residents have been created in the green courtyards. These are collective areas owned by a VVE, but they have a public character. To mark the inner courtyards, two narrow houses have been designed in each case. Due to the building height of three layers and the limited distance between them, the two houses form a recognizable gateway to the courtyard. There is room for trees in the courtyard garden and the black wooden storerooms are screened with beech hedges.

 

Timber frame houses
Some homes in Garden 16 are built entirely in Timber Frame Construction. The Heijmans Woonconcept normally provides a shell of precast concrete, but here the Horizon building system was chosen. Incidentally, no difference is visible on the outside, but in the CO2 footprint of the shell, this is a nice innovation.

 

Nature-inclusive end walls
Various nesting facilities are included in the end walls. The integrated nesting boxes are tailored to a specific species. The bird or insect for which the nesting facility is installed is grandly depicted in the masonry relief of the end wall. This not only makes it clear for which animals a new home has been made, but also creates a strong recognition in the neighborhood, such as “The House with the Swallow” or “The Bat House.

 

location:
Amersfoort Vathorst
category:
Housing
m2:
23.000
client:
Heijmans Vastgoed en Klompenburg Plegt
Team:
Heijmans Bouw, Klompenburg Bouw, West 8
program:
178 ground-level homes & 24 apartments
period:
2019 - 2023
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-6.JPG
226_plankaart_9-16_totaal.jpg
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-1.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-detail-brick.JPG

Stoer metselwerk met verfijnde details
Voor de gevels is gekozen voor metselwerk in verschillende warme kleuren en diepe neggen. De kozijnen zijn veelal verborgen achter steens metselwerk, wat een mooie dieptewerking in de gevel geeft. Er is verdere verfijning in de gevels aangebracht door gebruik van metselwerkpatronen zoals een horizontaal reliëf, terugliggende rollagen, klampwerk, gemetselde daklijsten en accenten met staand tegelverband. HWA’s zijn in het vlak van het metselwerk meegenomen als markering van individuele woningen en spuwers zijn als een groot ornament in de gevels ontworpen.

Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-2.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-detail-zoom.JPG.jpg
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-4.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-7.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-3.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-5.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-14.JPG

Apartments - The striking

As an ending to the green space in the heart of Laakse Tuinen, a compact apartment building was designed. This building has four floors on the park and three floors on the intermediate street to better match the ground-level homes. The 24 apartments have two bedrooms and, because of the orientation, large windows and balconies at the front of the building. As a result, residents overlook the green heart of the neighborhood.

 

In the axis of the park, a prominent entrance is designed with vertical brickwork, which gives an ArtDeco-like allure to the building. As with the ground-level homes, sturdy masonry was chosen, but with all kinds of refinements. Like the balconies with the twisted railings, the corner of the building features round brickwork. Brick was laid in a three-layer block bond and for rhythm in the facade, a vertical pattern of set-back bricks was created at each housing division.

 

The houses are accessed via a gallery on the side of the parking court. A garden serves as a buffer between the parking lots and the apartments. The escape stairwells are part of the masonry architecture, creating a calm image and avoiding fences around staircases. Vertical uprights and an open mesh fence are provided as a support for future greenery. Climbers have been planted and a vegetated gallery will emerge within a few years.

Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-11.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-13.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-12.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-9.JPG
Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-overview.JPG

More Housing

  • Zecc_Architecten-De_Oude_Werf_Krimpen-front-zoom.jpg

    De Oude Werf Krimpen

    location:
    Krimpen aan den IJssel
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    7.500
    client:
    Gemeente Krimpen aan den IJssel
    Team:
    Jasper Smits, Jos van de Lindeloof, De Langen & van den Berg
    program:
    48 apartments, 5 townhouses, parking garage
    period:
    2022 - present
  • Zecc-Laakse_Tuinen-Vathorst-housing-exterior-16.JPG

    De Laakse Tuinen

    location:
    Amersfoort Vathorst
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    23.000
    client:
    Heijmans Vastgoed en Klompenburg Plegt
    Team:
    Heijmans Bouw, Klompenburg Bouw, West 8
    program:
    178 ground-level homes & 24 apartments
    period:
    2019 - 2023
  • Zecc-De_Witt-Woerden-housing-exterior-front.JPG

    WITT Woerden

    location:
    Woerden
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    m2:
    19.000
    client:
    Synchroon
    Team:
    LAP, IMd, BuroBouwfysica, Visscher installatie advies
    program:
    38 Ground-level homes, 74 Apartments, built parking and collective yard house
    period:
    2017 - 2024
  • 1Zecc-Solitair-housing-Utrecht-exterior-entrance-det.JPG

    Solo Cartesiusdriehoek

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    8.200
    client:
    Keystone vastgoed
    Team:
    Wessels Zeist, Pieters bouwtechniek, Ingenieursbureau Deuring
    program:
    apartments, retail
    period:
    2018 - 2023
  • Zecc-De_Kreken-Westland-housing-exterior-5.JPG

    De Blauwe Kreken

    location:
    Poeldijk
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    3.600
    client:
    BPD Ontwikkeling
    Team:
    Ouwehand
    program:
    21 Semi-detached Water Villas
    period:
    2021 - 2024
  • 1Zecc-G8-Tango-housing-Utrecht_LRC-exterior-corner.jpg

    Leidsche Rijn Centrum G8

    location:
    LEIDSCHE RIJN CENTRUM Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    19.000
    client:
    BAM
    Team:
    BUREAUVANEIG
    program:
    178 APARTMENTS, parking garage
    period:
    2018 - 2023
  • 1Zecc-Merwede-Kanaalzone-Housing-Oeverpark.jpg

    Merwede Canal Zone Utrecht

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    60.000
    client:
    AM / Synchroon
    Team:
    Bura Urbanism, LEVS architecten, Paul de Ruiter Architects
    period:
    2022 - present
  • 2Zecc-Coberco-kwartier-Arnhem-housing-birdview.jpg

    Cobercokwartier Arnhem

    location:
    Arnhem
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    m2:
    16.000
    client:
    BPD Ontwikkeling
    Team:
    Delva Landscape, Orange Architects, StudioSpacious
    program:
    66 apartements, 30 ground-level residences
    period:
    2021 - present
  • Zecc-Nobelkwartier-De_Bilt-Sporthal-housing-front-n.jpg

    Nobelkwartier De Bilt

    location:
    De Bilt
    category:
    Housing, Interior, Public buildings
    m2:
    6.400
    client:
    Gemeente De Bilt / H.F. Witte Centrum / Woongroen
    Team:
    IBT, DWA, M3E, Anyverse, Odin Wenting bouwadvies
    program:
    sportcentre, meeting center with catering, 10 appartements, 8 ggb
    period:
    2019 - present
  • Zecc-Kruitfabriek_Muiden-housing_-retail2.jpg

    Kruitfabriek Muiden

    location:
    Muiden
    category:
    Housing, Public buildings
    m2:
    7.550
    client:
    KNSF Vastgoed en Ahold
    program:
    35 apartments, Albert Heijn, semi-underground parking
    period:
    2020 - present
  • 31478_-_Ext_04_c_Beeldenfabriek..jpg

    Zuidkade Scheveningen

    location:
    Scheveningen
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4500m2 appartementen en 600m2 bedrijfsruimte
    client:
    De Zuid C.V.: MRP Development en VORM Ontwikkeling
    Team:
    LEVS architecten, Hoyt architecten, Copijn landschapsarchitecten
    program:
    33 apartments
    period:
    2021 – present
  • Zecc-Duvelhof-housing-transformation-Tilburg-courty.jpg

    Duvelhof Tilburg

    location:
    Tilburg
    category:
    Housing, Transformations, Public buildings, Urban research
    m2:
    8.100
    Team:
    Studio REDD, Nico de bont, Hazenberg Bouw, De Bouwecoloog
    program:
    creative workshop studio's, 20 apartments, commercial space, underground parking
    period:
    2020 - present
  • 02-Zecc_Architecten-Zwolle-KBW-De_Koningin-housing-.JPG

    De Koningin

    location:
    Zwolle
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4.000
    client:
    Van Wonen Vastgoedontwikkeling
    Team:
    Nijhuis Bouw, Alferink van Schieveen, Nieman, Hulstflier
    program:
    apartments, housing
    period:
    2016 - 2020
  • 1Zecc-Rijnvliet_Oost-Utrecht-housing-exterior-2.JPG

    Rijnvliet Oost Utrecht

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    14.000
    client:
    Van Wanrooij Projectontwikkeling B.V.
    Team:
    Van Schijndel Bouwgroep, INBO, JVST
    program:
    80 apartments (mid-rent) as part of 198 apartments
    period:
    2019 - 2023
  • Zecc-Amstelkwartier-Amsterdam-housing-exterior-corn.jpg

    Amstelkwartier

    location:
    Amsterdam
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4.600
    client:
    Rochdale
    Team:
    Kenk architecten, Lindeloof, Hillen en Roosen
    program:
    205 social rental housing units, 800 m2 of BOG, plinth hospitality, shelter for youth placed out of home, 17 studios for young mothers
    period:
    2020 - present
  • 1Zecc-KPN-hof-Apeldoorn-header.jpg

    KPN-hof Apeldoorn

    location:
    Apeldoorn
    category:
    Housing, Transformations, Urban research
    client:
    Explorius
    Team:
    Flux Landscape, Gemeente Apeldoorn
    program:
    95 residential houses, catering, office, commercial space
    period:
    2023 - present
  • 1Zecc-De_Laak_3.9-Amersfoort_Vathorst-housing-exteri.jpg

    De Staalmeester

    location:
    Amersfoort Vathorst
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    2.350
    client:
    Van Bekkum
    Team:
    M3E, WSP, Massop, Peutz, Ecoresult
    program:
    27 apartements
    period:
    2020 - present
  • SP2022-Wisselspoor-2-LowRes_-_website.JPG

    Wisselspoor Utrecht

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    3.150
    client:
    Synchroon
    Team:
    Studio Ninedots, Delva Landschape, Space Encounters, Mees Visser, Gebroeders Blokland
    program:
    21 ground-level houses
    period:
    2017 - 2022
  • Zecc-Janninkkwartier-Enschede-housing-exterior-head.jpg

    Janninkkwartier Enschede

    location:
    Enschede
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    Van Wonen Vastgoedontwikkeling
    Team:
    Nijhuis Rijssen, Alferink van Schieveen, Peutz
    program:
    30 free sector rental houses
    period:
    2018 - 2022
  • Zecc-Duet-Housing-Amsterdam-header.jpg

    Het Duet Amsterdam

    location:
    Amsterdam
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    17.000
    client:
    Eigen Haard
    Team:
    Hillen & Roosen
    program:
    180 social housing
    period:
    2022 - present
  • Zecc-woontoren-Porto-Duin-housing-apartments-exteri.jpg

    Dune tower Porto

    location:
    Almere Duin
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    Amvest
    Team:
    Klunder Architecten, Amvest, ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles]
    program:
    102 apartments
    period:
    2020 - present
  • 16_Zecc-De_Laak-Amersfoort-housing-W19.JPG

    W19 Vathorst

    location:
    Amersfoort
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    De Alliantie
    Team:
    Heijmans Bouw, Olde Rikkert Bouw
    program:
    32 gallery homes (phase 1) and 21 social rental apartments (phase 2)
    period:
    2018 - 2022
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-Klaprozenweg-ensemble-voorgevel.jpg

    Klaprozenweg Amsterdam

    location:
    Amsterdam-Noord
    category:
    Housing, Public buildings
    client:
    Urban Fabric en Hoorne Vastgoed
    Team:
    Buro Ruim
    program:
    Supermarket, 86 rental apartments, commercial plinth, underground parking
    period:
    2022 - present
  • SP2022-BU31-Utrecht-16-LowRes.JPG

    BU31 Utrecht

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4.850
    client:
    MBB Ontwikkeling
    Team:
    MBB, Lievense-WSP, LBP Sight
    program:
    46 apartments and parking garage
    period:
    2011 - 2022
  • 1Zecc_Architecten-KCAP-Zutphen-Noorderhaven-housing_.jpg

    Noorderhaven Kade Noord

    location:
    Zutphen
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    21.000
    client:
    Heijmans Vastgoed
    Team:
    KCAP Architects & Planners
    program:
    apartments, dwellings
    period:
    2017 - 2021
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-De_Waterman-Havenkwartier-Rijsw.jpg

    The Waterman

    location:
    Rijswijk
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    BPS Real Estate / Rebirth Development
    Team:
    Studio Hartzema
    program:
    120 apartments
    period:
    2022 - present
  • Zecc-Eiland_Meerstad-Groningen-housing-masonry-15.JPG

    The island Meerstad

    location:
    Groningen
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    5.300
    Team:
    LAP Landscape & Urban Design
    program:
    27 ground-level residences
    period:
    2017 - 2021
  • 1Zecc-Kruisvaartkade-nieuwsbrief-juli.jpg

    Kruisvaartkade S6

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    MRP Kruisvaartkade BV
    Team:
    VORM ontwikkelt MRP Development
    program:
    apartments and ground-level residences
    period:
    2021 - heden
  • 1Zecc_Architecten-Ruimzicht_Den_Haag-48.jpg

    Ruimzicht Den Haag

    location:
    Den Haag
    category:
    Housing, Transformations
    client:
    Staedion/ Heijmans Vastgoed
    program:
    81 apartments
    period:
    2020 - present
  • 03-Zecc_Architecten-BSH-Amsterdam-social_housing-ma.JPG

    De Bolder Buiksloterham

    location:
    Amsterdam
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4.000
    client:
    De Alliantie
    Team:
    Hurks
    program:
    social housing apartments, multifuctional space
    period:
    2015 - 2020
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-Tiel-De_Ark-housing-residential.JPG

    De Ark Tiel

    location:
    Tiel
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    1.500
    Team:
    De Bonth van Hulten, Laplab, Ingenieurs bureau van Ierssel
  • Meysters-Buiten-Zecc-round_plan-apartments-zinc-02.JPG

    Tower apartments Meyster's Buiten

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    1.500
    client:
    vof. Meyster's Buiten
    program:
    16 apartments of 120 m2
    period:
    2011 - 2017
  • Zecc-Bolk_-Enschede-housing-front.jpg

    ‘t Bölke

    location:
    Enschede
    category:
    Housing
    Team:
    Ska-pa, Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-Mauritsstraat_Zaandam_housing.jpg

    Mauritsstraat

    location:
    Zaandam
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    client:
    Borghese
    Team:
    LAP Landscape & Urban Design
  • 00-Zecc_Architecten-De_Laak-Amersfoort-housing-maso.JPG

    De Laak

    location:
    Amersfoort
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    550, 2400
    client:
    De Alliantie
    Team:
    Heijmans Bouw, Nieman, Strackee
    program:
    apartments, housing
    period:
    2016 - 2019
  • 7Zecc_Architecten-housing-Boxmeer-masonry-aluminium_.JPG

    Care housing Weijerstaete

    location:
    Boxmeer
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    5.600
    client:
    Mooiland Vastgoed / Van der Heijden
    Team:
    Van der Heijden, Fit Ingenieurs, VIAC
    program:
    care apartments
    period:
    2011 - 2016
  • 13-Zecc_Architecten-Rijnvliet_housing.JPG

    Rijnvliet Midden

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    5600, 240, 300
    client:
    Van Wanrooij Projectontwikkeling B.V.
    Team:
    De Zwarte Hond, Bedeaux de Brouwer, Hans Been, Felixx Landscape architects & planners
    program:
    apartments, housing
    period:
    2019 - heden
  • 18-Zecc_Architecten-Surplus-Zeist-Apartment_buildin.JPG

    CPO Zeisterwerf

    location:
    Zeist
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    4.000
    client:
    CPO Vereniging Surplus
    Team:
    Salverda Bouw
    program:
    apartments, communal area
    period:
    2015 - present
  • Boothstraat-Zecc-transformation-masonry_lamellae-04.JPG

    Student housing

    location:
    Utrecht
    category:
    Housing, Transformations
    Team:
    Versteeg Utrecht
    program:
    student housing
    period:
    2014 - 2016
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-Terrasgebouw-Faro-Delva_Landsca.jpg

    Wanderlust

    location:
    Leidsche Rijn Centrum
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    m2:
    11.000
    client:
    HBB Ontwikkeling
    Team:
    Faro, Delva Landscape, ARUP
    program:
    apartments, housing
    period:
    2019
  • 121-Zecc_Architecten-Monnickenhof-Amersfoort-housing.JPG

    Monnickenhof

    location:
    Amersfoort
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    2.400
    client:
    Schipper Bosch
    Team:
    Van Bekkum
    program:
    housing
    period:
    2015 - 2019
  • 16hoven-02-masonry-housing-park-Zecc_Architecten.jpg

    Park Zestienhoven

    location:
    Rotterdam
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    client:
    Blauwhoed
    Team:
    Lodewijk Baljon
    program:
    apartments, dwellings, leisure
    period:
    2019
  • 1Zecc-Heijmans-Groningen-Eemskwartier-housing-masonr.jpg

    Eemskwartier

    location:
    Groningen
    category:
    Housing, Urban research
    client:
    Heijmans Vastgoed
    Team:
    Heijmans Bouw
    program:
    66 houses and 111 apartments
    period:
    2012 - 2017
  • 01-Zecc_Architecten-Defensieeiland-Woerden-housing-.JPG

    Defence Island

    location:
    Woerden
    category:
    Housing
    m2:
    1.100
    client:
    Blauwhoed Vorm
    Team:
    Karres en Brands, Groosman, Braaksma en Roos
    program:
    apartments, housing
    period:
    2017 - 2020
  • nieuwbouw_projectmatig_amersfoort_vathorst_studio_w.jpg

    Starter Apartments

    location:
    Amersfoort
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    Heijmans Amersfoort
    Team:
    Heijmans bouw
    program:
    18 small apartments
    period:
    2005 - 2010
  • nieuwbouw_projectmatig_kadewoning_eemskanaal_gronin.jpg

    Quay Houses

    location:
    Groningen
    category:
    Housing
    client:
    Heijmans Assen
    Team:
    Heijmans Bouw
    program:
    25 large dwellings
    period:
    2004 - begin 2010