This thesis addresses the pressing issue of a housing shortage in the Netherlands, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the elderly population of Naaldwijk, a town situated in the heart of the municipality of Westland, the Netherlands. By comparing historical and contemporary contexts, the thesis aims to provide insights into the motivations behind seniors’ transitions from family homes to specialized senior housing post-World War II and the factors hindering such moves in the present day. Through case studies, the thesis delves into the evolution of senior housing and its impact on the housing crisis.
The study begins by outlining the current housing crisis, emphasizing the growing need for age-appropriate homes for seniors. It then explores a specialized senior housing type from 1947-1972, revealing the motivations driving seniors to transition, such as communal living dynamics and care provisions. Subsequently, the study examines a specialized senior center from 1972-1996, where factors like privacy and independence became crucial motivations for seniors to move out of their family homes.
Examining the current housing types in the following chapter shows the contemporary challenges presenting significant barriers to seniors contemplating the move out of their family home. Exclusivity, affordability, and limited housing options hinder seniors from leaving their family homes despite the desire for community and care.
The last chapter offers a list of all found advantages to the examined case-studies, which is then relativized to the current times, leading to the recommendation to develop housing models that balance the traditional values with contemporary criteria in a nuanced manner.
In conclusion, the study underscores the complex interplay of historical and contemporary factors shaping senior housing decisions. By understanding these motivations and challenges, policymakers can develop inclusive and equitable housing solutions for the elderly, thereby addressing the pressing needs of an aging population amidst a housing crisis.
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This thesis is written as part of the ten-week History and Theory course of the Mastertrack Architecture at the TU Delft.

The ArtEZ Academy building, which was designed by the renowned architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld, remains an iconic work that inspires architects and designers to this day. This thesis delves into Rietveld’s influence on the academy’s usage and experience through his design. It utilizes archival research and interviews with 12 current and former staff members and students to answer this question. The thesis concludes that Rietveld’s design principles were characterized by simplicity, functionality, and the use of primary colours. Additionally, his teaching approach encouraged his students to think outside the box. Despite its challenges, the building still stands as a testament to Rietveld’s vision and continues to have an influence on students and architects today. The facilities department is currently developing a renovation plan to address the current issues while preserving the building’s design. Accessibility and sustainability are two important considerations in this process. The Rietveld building is a remarkable piece of architecture that continues to inspire and influence designers to this day. ... Read more

This study compares Le Corbusier’s urban plans for Chandigarh with Paris, highlighting the mod-ernist principles he applied and the design concept’s universality. This study aims to investigate the degree to which the architect’s concept of universal urban planning may be implemented in various metropolitan settings, while examining the ways in which his designs were impacted by the specifics of Chandigarh and Paris. In this thesis, the first part of the research consists of finding Le Corbusier’s early key principles on a city. Le Corbusier’s own publications, including ‘L’Urbanisme’, ‘The Plan Voisin’ and ‘The City of Tomorrow and Its Planning,’ were studied to find these. In order to determine if Le Corbusier’s theory of urban planning was generally applicable, a com-parative analysis takes place to illustrate the distinctions between his universal concepts and the particular components of both city plans. This analysis can be found in the second part of the thesis. Where has he moderated his general approach, and where do the disparities lie? Le Cor-busier’s literature and sketches on these city plans have been examined to find these answers. For a more comprehensive knowledge of his work, secondary sources have also been explored. The thesis shows that the differences in results between the Chandigarh project and Plan Voisin underscore the difficulties involved in attempting to execute a single, comprehensive plan across a range of urban environments. Le Corbusier’s utopian vision came to pass in Chandigarh, but its realization also highlighted the challenges associated with bringing such ideals to fruition. Le Corbusier’s method of thinking evolved over time, demonstrating the necessity of adapting ab-stract concepts to the unique conditions of each city. Keywords: Ville Contemporaine, Plan Voisin, Chandigarh, urban planning. ... Read more

It can be imagined that, due to fast technological innovation in the field of healthcare, current Western medicine distanced itself from ancient knowledge and practices. The aim of this thesis was therefore to find out to what extent it is possible to still recognize influences of classical medical texts and architecture in contemporary hospital architecture. Greco-Roman literature was studied to construct a theoretical framework of architectural principles that relate to classical healthcare methods. This was complemented by principles found in two case studies of Greco-Roman healthcare architecture. The framework was then applied in a case study of the nursing department of the Erasmus MC. It was possible to conclude that the case study shows many similarities to the derived framework, such as the prioritization of flexibility, focus on the individual, and climate control. In addition, some differences were discovered, such as how flexibility is achieved, the relation of the hospital to the city, and the use of daylight. This proves that Greco-Roman influences can still be found in contemporary Western hospital architecture. ... Read more

This thesis explores the dynamic relationship between psychiatry’s evolution and architectural responses over a span of more than 100 years, with a focus on Endegeest Estate. Initially following a trend of pavilion-style architecture, psychiatric care at Endegeest remained stable, with a primary focus on patient tranquility and limited therapeutic advancements. Post-war advancements in treatment, stimulated by societal shifts and criticism from the anti-psychiatry movement, led to architectural changes with a focus on a sociotherapeutic living environment. These buildings did not last as long, as care was still changing rapidly, resulting in new architecture with a focus on individual living spaces. The 21st century witnessed increased architectural variation in psychiatric hospitals, moving away from rigid guidelines. Notably, experimentation with architecture played a pivotal role in addressing evolving care needs, such as the reduction of seclusion cells, highlighting the interconnectedness of architectural design and healthcare advancements. ... Read more

The urban history of Amsterdam has changed a lot over the past centuries, with the city’s streets and waterways serve as conduits of transformation. From its modest origins amidst peat bogs to its emergence as a bustling hub of commerce and culture, Amsterdam’s story is intricately connected with the evolution of transportation.

At the heart of Amsterdam’s narrative lie its iconic canals, once vital arteries of trade that shaped the city’s growth and identity. The evolution of transportation modes across centuries, from the rhythmic clatter of horse-drawn carriages to the seamless efficiency of electric trams tell a story about the urge to adaptability and change. Amsterdam’s landmarks, like Central Station, emerged as symbols of progress against a backdrop of changing urban landscapes forever. Progress is never without challenges. Tensions between modernization and preservation arise as ambitious projects like the Ring of Amsterdam (A10) reshape neighborhoods, leaving behind scars that highlight the delicate balance between evelopment
and heritage.

By examining historical maps, paintings, and archival records, information has been gained on how transportation has shaped Amsterdam’s urban fabric, illustrating the city’s dynamic evolution over time. Transitioning from growth and expansion to integrating car traffic into Amsterdam’s existing urban landscape, thereby enhancing accessibility throughout the city. ... Read more

At the edge of North America lies St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, one of the oldest cities on the continent (Newfoundland & Labrador, Most easterly point in north america, n.d.). In recent decades, this historic city has seen a prevalent trend of institutional architecture within St. John’s being abandoned or demolished with little consideration for alternative building end of life practices. This leads to the loss of history and contributes to unsustainable practices. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative metrics, a regional systematic framework is established to be applied to future institutional buildings in St. John’s. This will assure that careful deliberation is taken when making decisions regarding future planning of institutional buildings upon their decommissioning. The Waterford Hospital will become unoccupied in late 2024 to early 2025; it is both a historic and complex example of an institutional building in St. John’s. It serves as a strong case study for the development and application of this framework. The results of applying the established framework to the hospital lead to the recommendation of partial to significant demolition; a new program is proposed for the site which integrates remaining building elements into the design. Moving forward, the provincial government can utilise the established framework from this study to ensure that thoughtful institutional building end of life planning is performed, preserving the culture of St. John’s. ... Read more