Van Ommeren Architecten BV

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing 

vanOmmeren-architecten + architectuurcentrale Thijs Asselbergs

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

MANUFACTURERS
Buva, Engels Baksteen, Kawneer, Kommerling, Lumission, Schwegler , Vconsyst, Van Der Plas

LEAD ARCHITECT
Joeri Van Ommeren

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Thijs Asselbergs, Joeri Van Ommeren, Fallon Walton

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Buro Boot

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners

GENERAL ENGINEERING
Croes Bouwtechnisch Ingenieursbureau, Nieman Raadgevende Ingenieurs

URBAN DESIGN
SAB

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Bpd Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling

MAIN CONSTRUCTOR
Klokgroep, Trebbe Groep

MASTERPLAN DESIGN
Thijs Asselbergs, Joeri Van Ommeren

HOUSING CORPORATION
Talis, Portaal

ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
Inbo

AREA
17000 M²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Eva Bloem

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Nijmegen, The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Social Housing

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

Havenkade, located by the harbor along the Waal River, is the most recent residential addition to Nijmegen’s urban silhouette.

The development is part of the larger urban transformation plan for the Waalfront area, the city’s former industrial district.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

The project is a joint initiative, notable for its diversity in housing types. It comprises 324 apartments, including 164 social rent units for housing corporations Talis and Portaal, designed by architectuurcentrale Thijs Asselbergs and Van Ommeren Associates (VOA).

The 38 medium-priced rental apartments and 122 private-sector apartments were designed by JURY!

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

Within a recognizable masonry ensemble, a versatile mix of housing has been created. Characteristics are the two-story high entrances that form the connection between the new city street and the courtyard within the building block.

The exterior has a robust masonry character, while the courtyard is detailed in a more neutral way that serves as a basis for the vegetation to flourish.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

BUILDING HOUSING DIVERSITY

The urban masterplan for the Havenkade plot was conceived by Asselbergs and VOA.

By deviating from the original plan for two separate buildings and instead proposing an integrated development for a cohesive building block, maximum benefit can be derived from shared resources such as mobility infrastructure, landscaping, and a robust architectural ensemble.

There is an urgent need for more affordable housing in general but in particular compact apartments for starters and single occupants.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

The collaborating architectural firms, aTa and VOA, see tailor-made standardized construction and modular construction as the solution for the future.

Series-produced housing projects consisting of diversity in housing typologies create architectural enrichment with lasting value.

In the Havenkade project, social housing is designed with the same attention and thoughtfulness as all other housing types.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

The variety of housing typologies on the Havenkade – living by the water, the street, or the courtyard and the range of sizes of apartments and maisonettes – offer diverse housing options for the Nijmegen community.

GREEN LIVING BY THE HARBOR

The location of Havenkade lies at the intersection between the views of the harbor, the Waal River, and the main cycling route across the dyke to the city center.

The courtyard of the ensemble opens up to the harbor, creating a connection with the public waterfront and the landscape.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem
Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
© Eva Bloem

The landscape, designed by Felixx Landscape Architects and Planners, combines the need for mobility infrastructure, green surroundings, and a vegetative environment.

Future-proof interventions along the embankment have been made with flood defense in mind, integrating parking with trees in the open ground and infiltration of rainwater in the courtyard.

These interventions contribute to a climate-adaptive and healthy living environment.

Havenkade Nijmegen Social Housing
Floor plan

Van Ommeren Architecten BV
T +31 20 7822222
Van Ommeren Architecten BV
Nieuwpoortkade 11-1, 1055 RX Amsterdam, Netherlands