"The Housing Market Survey 2019 shows that there is an urgent need in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region for more affordable housing in general, and for small apartments for starters, newcomers and singles in particular,” says Michel Pott, project manager at Talis. Collaborating architecture offices, Thijs Asselbergs architectuurcentrale, and van Ommeren architecten, see tailored standardized construction and modular building as the solution of the future. Serial-produced housing projects that consist of diversity in housing typologies create architectural richness with lasting value. The variety in Havenkade’s housing typologies – waterside, streetside, or inner courtyard living, as well as a range in size of apartments and maisonettes – offer diverse housing opportunities for Nijmegen’s community.
The urban plan for the Havenkade plot was also made by Asselbergs and van Ommeren. The original plot was allocated for two separate building projects, however, they proposed an integrated development to create a cohesive building that maximized the benefits of shared resources, such as mobility infrastructure, landscaping and a robust architectural ensemble. “Our business is to build,” says Joeri van Ommeren. “Therefore we don't make things more complicated, but find the connection in architecture to make a project move forward.”