Appartments Fruitstraat Leeuwarden

TWA-architects designed the ‘Appartments Fruitstraat Leeuwarden’ in Netherlands.

Description from the architects:

The area around the Fruitstraat in the northern city of Leeuwarden in the Netherlands is very diverse. The typical functionalist housing from the sixties is build right next to pre-war ‘red village’. Near is the cityhighway, with characteristic portico houses, and the area along the ancient river Potmarge with old farms and a park-like setting. In the middle of the area is a small city park, surrounded by a number of public buildings ( the community center, a school and a church ). The new apartment buidling is located at a site where once stood a block with 16 flats above shops. This building from the sixties was a rotten spot in the neighbourhood, the old shops had not survived and were now empty or were marginally used.

The apartment building containing 55 dwellings, mostly for the elderly, means a leap in scale and at the same time makes a connection between the various structures and construction periods which meet here. The building is divided into three main masses, each showing its own face. The building is bisected by a public route into the park. Furthermore, the park and public spaces around the building are refurbished. A slight distortion in the angle of the building parts reduce the scale of the complex. The building is partially lifted to accommodate parking for the cars and also provide a degree of transparency. Above the parking is a common courtyard, where residents can meet. Distinctive elements, colours, materials and details from the area were used to anchor the three sections in their respective place. One of the façades is topped by an old dutch saying; ‘Eigen Haard Is Goud Waard’, meaning something like ‘Home Sweet Home’.