JW

J. Wouda

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Rethinking Social Infrastructure in the Hybrid Society

Master thesis (2026) - J. Wouda, J.P.M. van Lierop, R. Cavallo
Madrid’s Programas de Actuación Urbanística (PAU) were designed for the car-centric, 20th-century commuter workforce that no longer exists. We now live in a hybrid society where the daily live of our home and work ar blending. The result is a repopulation of these neighborhoods, while the urban grid is still dominated by massive, isolated blocks and overscaled infrastructure, focused on vehicles and pedestrian transience. This research argues that these overdimensioned layouts create a socio-spatial mismatch, generating non-places where a localized population is physically contained by an inward-looking architecture built for temporary daytime absence. While prioritizing car efficiency and absolute privacy, this closed morphology eliminates the intermediate human-scale street life required for community building.Utilizing a Research-by-Design methodology focused on Sanchinarro, the study deconstructs these defensive, car-dominated boundaries through Actor-Network Theory. Now our lives are hyperconnected, this research argues we should be looking differently at Third Places. It proposes the vital social infrastructure as a Fourth Place: a system of porous thresholds inhabiting the sidewalk edge. Proposing a network of architectural micro-interventions, this project reclaims the oversized urban voids, shifting the PAU from isolated architecture towards a series of open, collaborative urban commons. ...

The Evolution of Residential Building Facades in the Netherlands (1920 – Present)

Student report (2025) - J. Wouda, R.J. Rutte
This history paper explores how the facades of Dutch residential buildings have changed from 1920 to today. It looks at how social, economic, political, and architectural developments influenced these changes. The main question is: How and why have Dutch residential facades evolved over the past century, and what role did broader societal developments play in this transformation? The study uses a historical approach to follow key changes; from the decorative brickwork and craftsmanship of the early 20th century, to the simple, functional designs after World War II, and finally to modern facades that focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Important government policies, such as the Woningwet (1901), Wederopbouwwet (1950), Klimaatakkoord (2019), and Omgevingswet (2024), played a major part in shaping how facades look and function. The research shows that Dutch architecture has continually adapted to changing needs. Economic challenges, housing shortages, and climate concerns have led to more standardised, compact, and eco-friendly designs. Throughout all of this, Dutch residential architecture has shown a strong ability to balance strict building rules with creative and innovative design solutions. ...