Armada Housing, an environmental approach

Architects: Building Design Partnership

This year, the “Publieksprijs” of the Architect Society of the Netherlands was awarded to the project “Armada Housing”, being considered as the building getting most appreciation by the Dutch public. The Armada complex is located in the proximity of the historical centre of ’s Hertogenbosch on a former 3 hectare big industrial site surrounded by water, consisting of 250 apartments, divided over 5 9-floor buildings built out of wood and 5 less higher buildings built in bricks. The local microclimate determined their layout and view.

After serious study, the location allows acquiring a maximal quantity of sunlight and avoids other buildings and gardens to be overshadowed too much, in particular in spring and autumn. The profile of the blocks of flats has been designed in a way to acquire the maximal quantity of sunlight and to limit wind turbulence. On the south side, the constructions are treated as big curved roofs in stainless steel embellished with large terraces. On the north side, glass galleries create at the entrance of the flats winter gardens on several floors, protecting the inhabitants against cold winds and offering them hospitable relaxation rooms. Also bear in mind that the parking places are underground and well-placed solar panels provide the necessary warm water.