Jacques Vink
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22 records found
1
Community centers in climate change
Building elderly resilience with social cooling centers in Rotterdam South
Strategies beyond reducing exposure in the built environment are formed using literature reviews, sociological observations, mapping, and interviews with stakeholders.
The research findings highlight that physical measures to cool outdoor environments are essential, but strengthening social resilience and adaptive capacity is equally important. Mobility barriers, decentralised everyday services, and limited opportunities for intergenerational interaction can heighten heat vulnerability among elderly residents. The response is a set of multi-scalar design guidelines that integrate climate-adaptive architecture with socially inclusive spaces, in the shape of cooling centers, ensuring accessibility, familiarity, and community participation within the neighborhood.
This holistic approach addresses different dimensions of heat vulnerability and creates neighborhoods that are not only cooler but also foster health, autonomy, and social connection across all ages. ...
Strategies beyond reducing exposure in the built environment are formed using literature reviews, sociological observations, mapping, and interviews with stakeholders.
The research findings highlight that physical measures to cool outdoor environments are essential, but strengthening social resilience and adaptive capacity is equally important. Mobility barriers, decentralised everyday services, and limited opportunities for intergenerational interaction can heighten heat vulnerability among elderly residents. The response is a set of multi-scalar design guidelines that integrate climate-adaptive architecture with socially inclusive spaces, in the shape of cooling centers, ensuring accessibility, familiarity, and community participation within the neighborhood.
This holistic approach addresses different dimensions of heat vulnerability and creates neighborhoods that are not only cooler but also foster health, autonomy, and social connection across all ages.
Pilgrimage to tranquillity
An architectural journey towards a centre for calmness in Rotterdam South
The project originates from a fascination with the growing need for tranquillity in cities and the under-addressed issue of mental health prevention. While much attention is given to treatment, little is done to proactively design for mental well-being. Mental health remains one of the four greatest burdens on the Dutch healthcare system, yet spatial responses are scarce.
Framing the design as a metaphorical pilgrimage, the project proposes a sequence of spaces that guide visitors from stress toward serenity. Extensive fieldwork, literature review, and sensory mapping were conducted to identify environmental stressors and urban relaxants, resulting in a conceptual framework of public, social, and personal space. This framework informed the proposal for a Centre for Calmness in Vreewijk, a historical garden suburb in Rotterdam South.
The centre includes a bathhouse, therapy facility, tea house, library, gallery, and workshop space- each embodying elements of introspection, cleansing, and community. The bathhouse in particular draws from historical typologies where collective bathing offered both ritual and refuge. The architectural design seeks to merge collective gathering with private contemplation, creating a balance between vibrancy and tranquillity.
The thesis also proposes a transferable pattern language for designing calming spaces, supported by a set of architectural guidelines and potential future locations for a broader calmness network across Rotterdam South. This dual focus- on a singular spatial anchor and a scalable urban strategy- aims to influence how cities address mental well-being through design.
Ultimately, this project advocates for architecture that heals, reconnects, and restores. It positions the built environment not merely as a backdrop to life, but as an active participant in the mental resilience of its inhabitants.
...
The project originates from a fascination with the growing need for tranquillity in cities and the under-addressed issue of mental health prevention. While much attention is given to treatment, little is done to proactively design for mental well-being. Mental health remains one of the four greatest burdens on the Dutch healthcare system, yet spatial responses are scarce.
Framing the design as a metaphorical pilgrimage, the project proposes a sequence of spaces that guide visitors from stress toward serenity. Extensive fieldwork, literature review, and sensory mapping were conducted to identify environmental stressors and urban relaxants, resulting in a conceptual framework of public, social, and personal space. This framework informed the proposal for a Centre for Calmness in Vreewijk, a historical garden suburb in Rotterdam South.
The centre includes a bathhouse, therapy facility, tea house, library, gallery, and workshop space- each embodying elements of introspection, cleansing, and community. The bathhouse in particular draws from historical typologies where collective bathing offered both ritual and refuge. The architectural design seeks to merge collective gathering with private contemplation, creating a balance between vibrancy and tranquillity.
The thesis also proposes a transferable pattern language for designing calming spaces, supported by a set of architectural guidelines and potential future locations for a broader calmness network across Rotterdam South. This dual focus- on a singular spatial anchor and a scalable urban strategy- aims to influence how cities address mental well-being through design.
Ultimately, this project advocates for architecture that heals, reconnects, and restores. It positions the built environment not merely as a backdrop to life, but as an active participant in the mental resilience of its inhabitants.
Thrive Through Art
How does the urban living environment regarding art facilities facilitate talent development of children?
Beyond the front door
Collective living in the Tarwewijk
The analysis is structured across three spatial scales: the neighborhood, the street, and the building. Findings indicate that while the Tarwewijk has social cores with adequate public spaces, its walkability is compromised by physical barriers, leading to a fragmented social fabric. At the street level, issues such as narrow sidewalks, obstructive parking, and a lack of personal investment in the public realm diminish the sense of community. At the building level, diversity in housing typologies and well-designed communal spaces enhance inclusivity and social interaction. Flexibility in spatial arrangements also emerges as a crucial factor in maintaining long-term community engagement and adaptability. The research further explores the role of scale in co-living communities, emphasizing the balance between group size, spontaneity, and social cohesion. The cluster collective model is identified as a promising approach, combining scalability with diversity while addressing the challenges of isolation and fragmentation.
The study culminates in the formulation of 32 living environment principles, compiled as a pattern language, which serve as design guidelines for future co-living projects. These principles provide a framework to enhance social cohesion, adaptability, and sustainability in collective housing, ensuring that co-living developments effectively address urban loneliness while fostering resilient communities. ...
The analysis is structured across three spatial scales: the neighborhood, the street, and the building. Findings indicate that while the Tarwewijk has social cores with adequate public spaces, its walkability is compromised by physical barriers, leading to a fragmented social fabric. At the street level, issues such as narrow sidewalks, obstructive parking, and a lack of personal investment in the public realm diminish the sense of community. At the building level, diversity in housing typologies and well-designed communal spaces enhance inclusivity and social interaction. Flexibility in spatial arrangements also emerges as a crucial factor in maintaining long-term community engagement and adaptability. The research further explores the role of scale in co-living communities, emphasizing the balance between group size, spontaneity, and social cohesion. The cluster collective model is identified as a promising approach, combining scalability with diversity while addressing the challenges of isolation and fragmentation.
The study culminates in the formulation of 32 living environment principles, compiled as a pattern language, which serve as design guidelines for future co-living projects. These principles provide a framework to enhance social cohesion, adaptability, and sustainability in collective housing, ensuring that co-living developments effectively address urban loneliness while fostering resilient communities.
Undisplacement
Replacing houses not communities
Advancing the traditional Dutch marketplace
Ensuring acces to food
Through a combination of literature review and interviews, a framework was developed to analyze current practices regarding marketplaces and urban agriculture. Additionally, site visits and observations provided typological insights.
The research reveals that historically, marketplaces have been key drivers of urban growth, emphasizing social functions and affordability of food. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards valuing experience over food itself. Regarding urban agriculture, its primary functions appear to be social, educational, and employment-related. Food production remains predominantly located outside or on the periphery of urban areas. By proposing the creation of a partially covered, multifunctional marketplace, the position of traditional week markets can be preserved for future generations, ensuring continued access to affordable, healthy nutrition. ...
Through a combination of literature review and interviews, a framework was developed to analyze current practices regarding marketplaces and urban agriculture. Additionally, site visits and observations provided typological insights.
The research reveals that historically, marketplaces have been key drivers of urban growth, emphasizing social functions and affordability of food. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards valuing experience over food itself. Regarding urban agriculture, its primary functions appear to be social, educational, and employment-related. Food production remains predominantly located outside or on the periphery of urban areas. By proposing the creation of a partially covered, multifunctional marketplace, the position of traditional week markets can be preserved for future generations, ensuring continued access to affordable, healthy nutrition.
The needs of home-seeking youth are explored in this study, which also considers ideas on how residential housing concepts can effectively address these needs. Research will be conducted through field research involving interviews with professionals, workshops with long-term homeless individuals, and workshops with vulnerable youth in Rotterdam to understand their housing needs and preferences.
The aim is to determine how a residential building can support the physical (socioeconomic security), mental (empowerment), and social (inclusion and cohesion) needs of youth seeking stable housing. Among these needs, social needs seem to play the most important role as they form a safety net for both mental and physical needs. The main need that home-seeking youth have is for a relationship with someone who can offer them unconditional support. Therefore, it is important that housing for youth includes access to an adult who can help them informally.
...
The needs of home-seeking youth are explored in this study, which also considers ideas on how residential housing concepts can effectively address these needs. Research will be conducted through field research involving interviews with professionals, workshops with long-term homeless individuals, and workshops with vulnerable youth in Rotterdam to understand their housing needs and preferences.
The aim is to determine how a residential building can support the physical (socioeconomic security), mental (empowerment), and social (inclusion and cohesion) needs of youth seeking stable housing. Among these needs, social needs seem to play the most important role as they form a safety net for both mental and physical needs. The main need that home-seeking youth have is for a relationship with someone who can offer them unconditional support. Therefore, it is important that housing for youth includes access to an adult who can help them informally.
Ontwerpen voor sociale cohesie
Anonieme ruimte beïnvloed gezondheid op een negatieve manier
Main Question:
How can the built environment facilitate social cohesion?
Sub-questions:
1. What is the role of anonymous public space in a lack of social cohesion?
2. What are the needs of residents regarding social cohesion?
To answer these research questions, the following theories and methods have been employed. Social cohesion is approached through the 8 values of social cohesion described by the Field Academy (2018). The essence of privacy zones lies in the readability of the spaces. For an answer to sub-question 1, research has been conducted based on literature study and analysis. For sub-question 2, information has been gathered from existing initiatives, consulted existing research, and fieldwork has been carried out.
The key results of sub-question 1 indicate that all four categories of social cohesion have a relationship with safety and that safety is therefore crucial for social cohesion. Social cohesion is also highly vulnerable to anonymity as it has a direct and/or indirect negative impact on multiple components of social cohesion. The main results of sub-question 2 show that residents of Carnisse have a need for a green living environment where residents can find each other and connect. They want to feel safe in the neighborhood and in public spaces that are connected to surrounding public areas.
By combining insights and information from sub-questions 1 & 2, it is evident that the built environment can facilitate social cohesion by:
1. Clearly defined situational normality. 2. A readable environment. 3. Accessible, comfortable, well-maintained, and inviting public spaces. 4. Freedom of choice. 5. Incorporating residents' needs.
By incorporating these conclusions into a design without anonymity, a built environment is created that optimally facilitates social cohesion. ...
Main Question:
How can the built environment facilitate social cohesion?
Sub-questions:
1. What is the role of anonymous public space in a lack of social cohesion?
2. What are the needs of residents regarding social cohesion?
To answer these research questions, the following theories and methods have been employed. Social cohesion is approached through the 8 values of social cohesion described by the Field Academy (2018). The essence of privacy zones lies in the readability of the spaces. For an answer to sub-question 1, research has been conducted based on literature study and analysis. For sub-question 2, information has been gathered from existing initiatives, consulted existing research, and fieldwork has been carried out.
The key results of sub-question 1 indicate that all four categories of social cohesion have a relationship with safety and that safety is therefore crucial for social cohesion. Social cohesion is also highly vulnerable to anonymity as it has a direct and/or indirect negative impact on multiple components of social cohesion. The main results of sub-question 2 show that residents of Carnisse have a need for a green living environment where residents can find each other and connect. They want to feel safe in the neighborhood and in public spaces that are connected to surrounding public areas.
By combining insights and information from sub-questions 1 & 2, it is evident that the built environment can facilitate social cohesion by:
1. Clearly defined situational normality. 2. A readable environment. 3. Accessible, comfortable, well-maintained, and inviting public spaces. 4. Freedom of choice. 5. Incorporating residents' needs.
By incorporating these conclusions into a design without anonymity, a built environment is created that optimally facilitates social cohesion.
IN-BETWEEN
The Crucial Role of Public Spaces in Exchange and Interaction
Making a[nd] living
Crafting resilient neighbourhoods through urban manufacturing
A Mother's Plan
Housing with collectivised household labour for in(ter)dependent mothers
This thesis is an exploration into the socio-spatial housing needs of independent mothers and to what extent collective living arrangements could provide an opportunity to balance work and family life effectively, through redefining traditional household structures. Through the lens of second wave feminist theory, the nuclear family is deconstructed, and the concept of collectivised household labour is explored. Drawing examples from other forms of non-nuclear households, including matriarchal tribes, self-work hotels, and eco-communities, the benefits of shared responsibilities of social support systems and efficiency are remarked. This theoretical study is juxtaposed against the practical research, consisting of interviews with assistance professionals, architects and empirical experts, from which a tight balance between community and privacy becomes significant. Thus, it is concluded that collective living arrangements have the possibility to empower independent mothers by expanding the meaning of a household, through dispersing the workload and sharing among each other. However, it remains important to realise that sustainable and supportive communities require room for the individual, like-minded people, rules and work for it to be effective. Collectivised household labour exists within a trade-off between radical intervention and practicality.
Overall, this research aims to contribute to the discourse on housing design by advocating for imaginations that empower, instead of stigmatizing and incorporating the voices of the people you are designing for. ...
This thesis is an exploration into the socio-spatial housing needs of independent mothers and to what extent collective living arrangements could provide an opportunity to balance work and family life effectively, through redefining traditional household structures. Through the lens of second wave feminist theory, the nuclear family is deconstructed, and the concept of collectivised household labour is explored. Drawing examples from other forms of non-nuclear households, including matriarchal tribes, self-work hotels, and eco-communities, the benefits of shared responsibilities of social support systems and efficiency are remarked. This theoretical study is juxtaposed against the practical research, consisting of interviews with assistance professionals, architects and empirical experts, from which a tight balance between community and privacy becomes significant. Thus, it is concluded that collective living arrangements have the possibility to empower independent mothers by expanding the meaning of a household, through dispersing the workload and sharing among each other. However, it remains important to realise that sustainable and supportive communities require room for the individual, like-minded people, rules and work for it to be effective. Collectivised household labour exists within a trade-off between radical intervention and practicality.
Overall, this research aims to contribute to the discourse on housing design by advocating for imaginations that empower, instead of stigmatizing and incorporating the voices of the people you are designing for.
De handen van Zuid
Een onderzoek naar kansrijke combinaties om het lokaal ambachtschap in Rotterdam – Zuid (Tarwewijk) te stimuleren en bewoners, met beperkte startkwalificatie, meer perspectief te bieden om te participeren en emanciperen, zodat de veerkracht van de wijk wordt versterkt en achterstanden worden ingelopen.
Een stad vol verhalen
Een onderzoek naar het programma voor een nieuw gefragmenteerd museum in stadsdeel Feijenoord aan de hand van verhalen van bewoners
middel van het programma Atlas.ti. Daarna zijn de verhalen geanalyseerd op sociale en culturele kenmerken om de identiteit van de bewoner, wijk, stadsgedeelte en de stad te ontdekken. Door de verhalen te analyseren op de naar voren gekomen kernthema’s en te luisteren naar wat de bewoners
zelf vertellen over de identiteit, is er grip verkregen op de identiteit van de bewoners, de wijk, het stadsgedeelte en de stad. Tot slot is er onderzoek gedaan naar drie bestaande projecten om zo ook inspiratie op te doen voor het ruimtelijke programma voor het museum. Vanuit het tweede deel van
het onderzoek is er inspiratie verkregen aan de hand van een referentieonderzoek die variëren in schaal, programma, context en de manier van tentoonstellen. Deze analyse is omgezet in ruimtelijke tools die zijn weergegeven in de
schema’s. Het resultaat van het onderzoek is inspiratie voor het
programma. Het ontwerp voor het museum zal de verhalen respecteren en kan bestaan uit een wisselende expositie. Een groot deel van de bewoners geven aan dat de toegankelijkheid een grote
rol speelt in het deelnemen. Het museum zal dus toegankelijk zijn voor iedereen en laagdrempelig. De verschillende kernthema’s die zijn bestudeerd laten de identiteit van het stadsgedeelte zien. Daarbij staat de verbinding van bewoners bovenaan en zal dus kunnen dienen als hoofdthema
voor het nieuwe museum. Dit onderzoek heeft dus inspiratie geleverd voor het programma op het gebied van de identiteit, de formaliteit, de toegankelijkheid en de verbinding. ...
middel van het programma Atlas.ti. Daarna zijn de verhalen geanalyseerd op sociale en culturele kenmerken om de identiteit van de bewoner, wijk, stadsgedeelte en de stad te ontdekken. Door de verhalen te analyseren op de naar voren gekomen kernthema’s en te luisteren naar wat de bewoners
zelf vertellen over de identiteit, is er grip verkregen op de identiteit van de bewoners, de wijk, het stadsgedeelte en de stad. Tot slot is er onderzoek gedaan naar drie bestaande projecten om zo ook inspiratie op te doen voor het ruimtelijke programma voor het museum. Vanuit het tweede deel van
het onderzoek is er inspiratie verkregen aan de hand van een referentieonderzoek die variëren in schaal, programma, context en de manier van tentoonstellen. Deze analyse is omgezet in ruimtelijke tools die zijn weergegeven in de
schema’s. Het resultaat van het onderzoek is inspiratie voor het
programma. Het ontwerp voor het museum zal de verhalen respecteren en kan bestaan uit een wisselende expositie. Een groot deel van de bewoners geven aan dat de toegankelijkheid een grote
rol speelt in het deelnemen. Het museum zal dus toegankelijk zijn voor iedereen en laagdrempelig. De verschillende kernthema’s die zijn bestudeerd laten de identiteit van het stadsgedeelte zien. Daarbij staat de verbinding van bewoners bovenaan en zal dus kunnen dienen als hoofdthema
voor het nieuwe museum. Dit onderzoek heeft dus inspiratie geleverd voor het programma op het gebied van de identiteit, de formaliteit, de toegankelijkheid en de verbinding.
Capturing Wishes
Translating personal housing requirements into affordable housing for young adolescents in Rotterdam Zuid
Rethink Waste
Een onderzoek naar de fysieke en sociale verbeter mogelijkheden voor het grondstoffenstation van de Afrikaanderwijk
Make Food Great Again
An Architectural Spatial Strategy to implement the Technological Advantages of the 4th Agricultural Revolution in the Built Environment for Reciprocal Benefit
It’s the architectural answer to the question of how can our food become local and approachable again, while being an actually integrated part of infrastructure in contemporary urban society? ...
It’s the architectural answer to the question of how can our food become local and approachable again, while being an actually integrated part of infrastructure in contemporary urban society?
Eco-centric Architecture
An ecocentric mindset to slow down climate change
The Naked Island
Unveiling the Dichotomy of Productive and Romantic Territories