el KANTOOR works together with the residents of the four Lozerlaan flats, housing corporation Haag Wonen and Era Contour on a renovation plan for a healty and happy life in Den Haag South-West. Haag Wonen has taken the opportunity to look further than a standard renovation for physical sustainability by approaching the renovation from a social perspective.

In the process of the renovation of the senior housing blocks the residents are placed first and the space will be accomodated to their wishes and needs to create social sustainability. el KANTOOR works closely together with the team Buurtontwikkeling (neighborhood development) of Haag Wonen that strengthens and accomodates the community of the residents.

Working on 3 scales
The project is being developed at three scale levels, each with a different timeframe for execution and implementation, but all with a strong connection to eachother. To achieve a healthy and happy living environment for the residents it is necessary to address a wider range than just the building plot. By creating an integrated plan for the whole area facilities and services can be shared and facilitate communities instead of focussing on individual problems and needs.

Opening up the design process
The process of design has been opened up to all residents, collaboration partners and educational institutes who can contribute positively to the process. Through workshops, meetings, presentations and placemaking activities we aim to find social-spatial scenario's that improve the living standard not only by technical aspects, but create a social environment of caring and looking after eachother.

From a practical to a social plinth
The groundfloor of all four buildings is currently occupied by storage rooms, bicyle parking and rubbish collection. Besides a small activity room there is no space for informal meetings and shared facilities. Based on the conversations and workshops with the residents a new proposal for the groudfloor is developed. In this proposal the entrance is enlarged, and several meeting spaces are integrated. A shared kitchen, office space, activity room, health desk and toilet create a new dynamic in which people can meet and look after eachother more easily.
6-8 studio apartments are added on the groundfloor in which students can live while taking a small role in the community of the building and the shared facilities. This will create more activity and liveliness, as well as a feeling of security in the evening.

Continuous conversation
Key of this collaboration process is a continuous conversation with the residents. All steps in the plan making proces are being crossed with the thoughts and ideas of the residents. While we bring our expertise of spatial design, the residents bring their extensive knowlegde and experience of living in the building, which became the core of the project.
Haag Wonen literaly comes forward to the residents and opens up the renovation process by placing a temporary pavilion on the site, which is open 3 days a week to discuss and have a look at the renovation plans.

Year:
2024 - ongoing
Location:
The Hague, the Netherlands
Client:
Haag Wonen
Program:
Social Housing
Status:
In progress
Team el KANTOOR:
Isabel Driessen, Andrés López
Collaboration:
Era Contour, Scriptie Werkplaats, Haagse Hogeschool, TUDelft
Special thanks to:
All the residents of the Vierkantflat and Cirkelflat who have taken time to talk and work with us on the models, drawings and interventions in the outdoor space.