This graduation project explores how architectural and spatial design strategies can transform the cauliflower neighbourhood of Raadsledenbuurt in Houtwijk, The Hague, into a resilient 21st-century neighbourhood. Originally designed to promote safety and community, the neighbourhood is now facing contemporary challenges, including declining social cohesion, safety concerns, demographic changes, fragmented green spaces and climate-related issues.

The research combines theoretical, spatial and social analysis to examine the current conditions of the neighbourhood and identify opportunities for transformation. This project answers the following research and design question: “How can architectural and spatial design strategies transform the cauliflower neighbourhood of Raadsledenbuurt in Houtwijk into a resilient 21st-century neighbourhood?”

Particular attention is given to the transitions of housing, living together, and water and soil. The study also explores the characteristics of the cauliflower neighbourhood typology and the qualities of a resilient 21st-century neighbourhood. Based on literature developed by Sim (2019), five resilience criteria were selected as most relevant for the Raadsledenbuurt: Diversity of Built Form, Diversity of Outdoor Space, Human Scale, Sense of Control and Identity, and Greater Biodiversity.

The analysis shows that the neighbourhood is characterised by a small-scale, infrastructure-led spatial structure with fragmented green spaces, limited spatial hierarchy and unclear transitions between private and public space. At the same time, these characteristics provide opportunities to rethink the relationship between housing, public space and landscape.

In response, the design proposal “Patchwork of Landscapes” introduces five interconnected landscape typologies that strengthen social cohesion, biodiversity and housing diversity. The proposal transforms underused and private spaces into shared environments and extends the concept of home beyond the individual dwelling to the neighbourhood as a whole. By creating a clear hierarchy of landscapes and well-defined threshold zones, the design addresses the identified social and spatial challenges while embedding the selected resilience criteria throughout the neighbourhood. The project demonstrates how a cauliflower neighbourhood can be adapted to meet the social, ecological and spatial demands of the 21st century. ... Read more

The Stopera is an integration of a music theatre and a city hall, situated at Waterlooplein in Amsterdam.  Before the combination, it was supposed to be a separate music theatre by Bijvoet & Holt at Ferdinand  Bolstraat and a city hall by Holzbauer at the Waterlooplein. The architects made multiple iterations for  both separate designs. This thesis examines the elements retained from these separate plans that merge  the city hall and music theatre.   The research questions follow: “How did the design elements of Bijvoet & Holt’s music theatre (1978),  Holzbauer’s city hall (1978), Holzbauer’s Stopera (1979), the collaboration between the stakeholders,  and the financial constraints influence the final design of Holzbauer & Dam’s Stopera (1981)?”.  The research includes an analysis of the most recent version of the drawings of each project and the  written statements provided by the architects. The book “Rumoer aan de Amstel”, written by De Liagre  Böhl, is used as a red thread of historical context, while newspaper articles offer insight into the  collaboration among the involved parties and the final expenses. Additionally, the program of  requirements published by the municipality provides an overview of the program of the Stopera.   Research shows that various elements of both projects are recognisable in the design of the Stopera. For  instance, the windows from the music theatre and Holzbauer’s proposal look similar to the windows of  the Stopera. Furthermore, the functional layout of the city hall and Holzbauer’s proposal of integration  are recognisable in the design of the Stopera. It is important to note that the collaboration among the  different stakeholders was far from seamless, which may have contributed to unexpectedly high final  expenses. ... Read more