Ruychaver

Amsterdam Nieuw-West faces a major housing development challenge. The district comprises the Amsterdam Extension Plan (AUP)—designed by Cornelis van Eesteren and Jakoba Mulder—which is grounded in the principles of light, air, and space. Seventy years after its completion, the area is due for transformation: many homes no longer meet current spatial needs and require sustainability upgrades.

The Ruychaverkwartier in Geuzenveld holds a unique position within the AUP. While designed according to modernist principles, featuring buildings that stand freely in open space, it was executed using traditional architectural elements such as brickwork and pitched roofs. The development comprises 237 social housing units.

Housing association Eigen Haard commissioned us to create a densification plan for the Ruychaverkwartier based on a “demolish-and-rebuild” approach. We proposed collaborating with various departments of the Municipality of Amsterdam to explore two scenarios: one involving demolition and new construction, and another involving the retention of the existing complex, which would be expanded through thickening and vertical extensions.

Unfortunately, the housing association opted to demolish the existing complex and replace it with new construction. For the demolition-and-rebuild option, we proposed maximizing the number of new homes and almost doubling it to 445 units. We developed the urban design plan, which was approved by the city council in the summer of 2024. Subsequently, we collaborated with Studio Nauta to create a preliminary design for the new buildings using bio-based materials.