‘t Hool - Eindhoven book of patterns
Craig - Matthijs - Rafaela
Source: “Stichting Woonwijk Het Hool”. Woonwijkhethool.Nl, 2018, http://www.woonwijkhethool.nl.
Contents
Background
8
Research
16
Pattern Drawings
26
Social Spaces
26
Income Generation
31
Borders
35
Building Methods
41
Domestic Space
44
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Background
History & Layout ‘t Hool is a mixed-income neighbourhood with both rental and owner-occupied dwellings. The project was conceived of in the 60’s by a group of employees at the Philips NatLab who wanted more affordable housing that allowed its future residents to have a say in its design, and one that was inclusive to people of all income levels.
‘t Hool was designed by Van den Broek & Bakema who were well known for their design of the Lijnbaan in Rotterdam and the Kleine Driene housing estate in Hengelo. In fact, Bakema was also commissioned the design of the shopping centre Woensel just south of ‘t Hool which was clearly based off of the same principles as the Lijnbaan.
The neighbourhood
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Source: ‘T Hool, Toonbeeld Van De Wederopbouw. Rijksdienst Voor Het Cultureel Erfgoed, 2016, https://cultureelerfgoed.nl/sites/default/files/publications/20_hool_eindhoven.pdf.
Green Spaces Greenery was a key feature in the neighbourhood that is strongly maintained to this day. Greenery and privacy were of key concern for the residents of ‘t Hool and so became integral parts of the design of the neighbourhood. A green committee was established to upkeep the common green spaces.
Greenery accounts for a very large portion of the total area of ‘t Hool.
Source: ‘T Hool, Toonbeeld Van De Wederopbouw. Rijksdienst Voor Het Cultureel Erfgoed, 2016, https://cultureelerfgoed.nl/sites/default/files/publications/20_hool_eindhoven.pdf.
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Public/Private Division
Different methods of creating privacy within ‘t Hool
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Source: “Stichting Woonwijk Het Hool”. Woonwijkhethool.Nl, 2018, http://www.woonwijkhethool.nl. Accessed 15 Oct 2018.
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Housing Types There are nine housing types scattered throughout ‘t Hool, seven of which were found in the neighbourhood block we chose to focus on. Of all the types, there is only one that consists of a single detached house, with other homes varying to suit people of different income levels and stages in their lives. We found that certain types were predominently occupied by foreigners, while others were better suited to seniors and yet others that are most appealing to the higher-income residents.
J
B E
G
C
B F
H
Terraced Home
G
C Terraced Home Variation 2
E
Split Level Home
H Patio Home
F
J Detached Home
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Drive-In House
Patio Home Variation 2
Interview Excerpts We went into five homes and interviewed numerous people from different ages, backgrounds and class levels. Here are a few excerpts of interesting things they had to say.
everyone knows everyone within my area
the architect, unlike others, designed it to be 50-50 living to bedroom space--he prioritized living areas to be rather large and bedrooms to be slightly smaller
it’s a peaceful place with lots of room
I just wish there were more people my age to hang out with here.
you look out every window but see no one, yet are very close to everyone else
there are hard rules on green space preservation and housing alterations to be followed
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Research
Interviews
Frank, Elderly man living in housing type “E”
Frank and his wife moved into their home two years ago, after finding the city centre way too crowded and loud. Part of the reason they picked their house was because they found the neighbourhood to be very peaceful and the home was very spacious. To them, their home is like their own private island. The added benefit was that although ’t Hool is removed from the city centre, the centre is also easily accessible—so much so that the two bought e-bikes and now enjoy their 15 minute rides to the city centre. They are the second family to own this home and since purchasing it they made some extensive renovations because the existing facilities and layout were a bit outdated. They opened up the kitchen wall, changed one of the bedrooms to be an office, shrunk the front bathroom and enlarged the master bathroom. They also turned the garage-turnedguest bedroom to an art studio for his wife. Frank said he knows all his immediate neighbours and some others outside of their cluster.
Peter, Industrial designer living in housing type “F”
Peter and his wife moved to ‘t Hool 15 years ago, They wanted to make this building their ‘own’ by altering the floorplan and shape of the house. But the expansion had to be within limits that were set out by the association. The original inhabitants were the engineers who were part of the initial design and they were very picky when it came to changes. The changes that they eventually made, made to the plan opened up the floorplan. The small garage originally connected to the dwelling became part of the overall dwelling which now also serves as a small display for his motorcycle. For them the house is extremely private which for them is positive. You can look out of every window but you can never see anyone. They say the whole area acts as islands in an ocean. Each with their own social space merely connected by the urban fabric. They liked the idea that the original architect had about larger living spaces compared to large bedrooms. Even though there is a lot of green space surrounding their home they rarely go there. The last time they went to the parks was around 10 years ago. Generally they travel back home by taking the fastest route without wandering through the neighbourhood. They, as well as their children, visit the neighbouring shopping centre very frequently as it is very convenient that it is so close by. When he goes to work he drives his car. While his wife works from home. They say that the area is full of well educated people, including many architects and engineers.
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Thieme, man living in housing type “G”
Thieme lived in his current home for 10 years with his wife and kids. He used to live in ’t Hool as a child and then moved away as he grew up. He likes the house because it is very dynamic — it never looks the same no matter which angle you look from. he also opened up the kitchen as most other people we interviewed did. In his opinion the bedrooms in the house are not very small at all (the door did not open properly because of the bed). He doesn’t see many of his neighbours because of the switched orientation of the houses, but he prefers it this way as he gets a lot of privacy.
Guy, French teacher living in housing type “H”
Guy lived here for a year with is partner and her two daughters. He thinks the people in his neighborhood a very nice. He noted there are many teachers living here. He received a very nice welcome, despite not being a dutch speaker. He likes that it is nice and quiet with nearby shopping and amenities, also that it is very close to work for him, only a 15 min bike ride. He spent 11 years in Eindhoven before purchasing his house. He chose it because of its configuration, commenting that he really liked the living room being one floor above ground. He finds that people are very helpful and there is some sense of community. He finds the ground floor ceiling to be low. He removed the small terrace stairs and added a new larger set. Guy doesn’t think that the facade is very attractive but loves the space within and wishes that there was more green space out front, instead of just parking.
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Impressions
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Housing Alterations
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25
social spaces
Patterns
Parking Lot
The parking lots form the heart of housing clusters. Not do they provide ample space for parking, but they also act as some of the most widely used social spaces within ‘t Hool. Once a year, a neighbourhood-wide barbeque is organized and held in the parking lots. On a daily basis you will see people hanging out, fixing cars or crossing paths in the parking lots.
28
Front Yard & Pathway
Slightly more intimate encounters occur in neighbouring front yards and the pathway leading up to a set of houses. Immediate neighbours often cross paths and stop to say hello.
29
Private Escape
The majority of social gatherings actually happen within the realm of the private backyard garden. This is the place where kids play, friends get together and family members relax after a long day.
30
Income Generation
Commercial Retrofit
There are very few businesses to be found within ‘t Hool, however the ones that do exist are embedded in the existing fabric. These businesses can be found in renovated residential homes.
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Work From Home
Some of the residents in ‘t Hool work from home. The living room is a key space as it often acts as a home office and is spacious enough to accommodate a variety of functions.
33
Caretaking
There is an enormous amount of greenery in ‘t Hool and almost every home has a very well-kept garden. The people who are either hired to upkeep the gardens in private homes or those who work for the city also play a part in income generation within the neighbourhood.
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Borders
Empty Green Spaces
The vast amounts of green space were purposefully designed as a barrier, creating privacy for those on either side. They also serve the function of separating the neighbourhood into smaller zones that focus on a more inward privacy. The green space acts to separate non-residents from residents.
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Roads
Roads act as very hard-fast borders within ‘t Hool. Houses on each side of a larger road are completely disconnected from each other -- there is no interaction that occurs across this border.
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Labyrinth
Within each smaller neighbourhood cluster there are smaller pedestrian pathways that lead you into the interior. These pathways are often covered in various forms of vegetation. Often, 2m high bushes form rigid walls. These elements create the feeling of a tight space where one needs to know where to go, otherwise they do not feel welcome.
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Paved no man’s land
A number of clusters have been designed with a buffer zone between the streek and parking area; a paved area, not unlike a parking lot, that seems to serve no purpose other than to further divide the cluster from the main road and more public pathways. Cars are not parked on it and it does not act as a pedestrian gathering space. Stepping into this area makes you feel like you are trespassing on private property.
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Building Methods
Brown Brick & Dark Wood Every ‘t Hool building facade is clad with a mixture of brick and timber weatherboards stained black.
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The roofs of the split-level expandable homes are clad in wood. If ever an addition is to be made, it must follow the same material pallette, colour and style dictated by the original designs.
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Tall Fences
Fences are some of the most common additions to buildings in ‘t Hool. Generally, they are limited to the use of four materials: steel, brick, wood and vegetation.
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Domestic Space
Enlarging & Repurposing Rooms
Extensive renovations were done by most owners, often expanding the master bathroom, making a home office out of a bedroom and openening up the kitchen. In addition, bedrooms are merged to create a larger room and garages are repurposed as hobby spaces.
46
Living - Backyard Connection
The homes in ‘t Hool were all designed with a strong backyard to living room connection using very large glass sliding doors to create maxiumum permeability. The effect is that the living space extends seamlessly into the courtyard .
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Private Courtyard
Almost every backyard in ‘t Hool, no matter the housing type, has similar features: each is designed for maximum privacy, flanked on all sides by structures or very tall hedges. Many yards have a fraction of green space, either made of astroturf or real grass, and an equally large paved area.
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