A neighbourhood for the outdoors
Buitenburen Almere
With BuitenBuren, De Zwarte Hond is realising 224 affordable homes for first-time buyers and active older people in the neighbourhood of Almere Buiten Centrum. The design addresses the urgent demand for housing and introduces a residential concept centred on nature, climate adaptation and social connectedness. BuitenBuren will stimulate mobility in the housing market and contribute to the creation of an inclusive urban neighbourhood that grows alongside its residents. The building block encloses a green courtyard garden with mature trees: the BuurtPark, the beating heart of the neighbourhood. A spacious 11-metre-high, 10-metre-wide gate connects the street to the park, making the greenery visible to the city. Shared rooftop terraces and a ground floor with an active programme encourage interaction between residents and their local neighbours. Around 20 per cent of the façade surface consists of integrated vertical greenery. Wooden frames made from reused mooring posts references the historic Zuiderzee and supports balconies and planters. This green structure reduces heat stress, promotes biodiversity and gives the architecture a clear, distinctive identity. The ground floor houses a community-oriented programme including a neighbourhood hub (BuurtStek), restaurants, creative workshops and a care centre. Housing, amenities and community gathering spaces come together under one roof here. BuitenBuren shows that urban densification can improve quality of life, build community resilience, and foster a sense of community.
data
- Location
- Almere, NL
- Size
- 20.000 m²
- Client
- Gemeente Almere
- Discipline
- Architecture
- Program
- Housing, Retail
- Period
- 2026-2030
- Status
- In Development
- Partners
- J.P. van Eesteren, TBI, OKRA landscape architects, Nieman Raadgevende Ingenieurs, de Firma Stek, Michelle Gulickx
Photo: Almere City Archive
A vertical neighbourhood for Almere Buiten
Almere Buiten Centrum is a neighbourhood in transition. Originally developed as the functional retail destination of a young, growing city, it is now evolving into a mixed-use urban environment centred on housing, community interaction and quality of life. Against the backdrop of high housing demand, the centre is gradually being transformed into a vibrant urban neighbourhood offering space for the community, green areas and innovative housing solutions. The BuitenBuren residential building will not only provide new homes, but will also introduce a new social and ecological structure to Almere Buiten Centrum.
Volumetric composition
Façade rhythm
Affordable housing for all age groups
BuitenBuren is adding 224 affordable apartments to Almere Buiten Centrum. The programme is aimed at first-time buyers and active older people. By combining different life stages, a natural flow is created in the housing market. Young people will gain access to their first independent home, while older residents will find a future-proof living environment offering comfort, accessibility and proximity to amenities. During several public meetings and via the website www.stadsgesprekken.almere.nl, residents and business owners in Almere Buiten Centrum were able to share their ideas. Almere residents appreciate that nature is close by throughout the city. However, this is not yet the case around BuitenBuren. This is about to change, though, as a green oasis is being created within walking distance of Almere Buiten station. From the station, the building’s distinctive silhouette is immediately recognisable: a stepped brick urban block that gives it a unique identity. Opening up towards the station, it blends in with the height of the surrounding buildings.
From neighbours to community
BuitenBuren is more than just a building; it’s an entire neighbourhood housed within a single structure on a single plot. The social hub is the BuurtPark, a collective, biodiverse outdoor space where residents can easily meet one another. Shared rooftop terraces further reinforce this network of communal spaces. BuitenBuren fosters community building and helps reduce loneliness among younger and older residents by facilitating encounters through its spatial design. Around 40 per cent of the ground floor is dedicated to community spaces, acting as a link between the building and the city. The BuurtStek neighbourhood hub serves as a community centre where residents organise activities and meet informally. Restaurants, a care plaza and creative workshops ensure the area’s daily vibrancy and establish the project’s presence in the neighbourhood. The BuurtStek forms a link between the indoors and outdoors, offering spaces for coffee, conversation and initiatives. At the same time, carefully positioned entrances ensure peace, safety and security for residents.
The wooden frames
Nature-inclusive and climate-adaptive
Ecology is an integral part of the design. Green façades, a courtyard garden and rooftop terraces enhance biodiversity and reduce heat stress. Water retention, green concrete, circular materials and solar panels ensure that the building is future-proof and energy-efficient. BuitenBuren thus combines urban densification with a healthy and comfortable living environment. The central section of the façade, above the plinth, consists of wooden frames made from reused mooring posts, referencing the old Zuiderzee which once covered the area. The arcade supports the balconies and the racks for growing vegetation. These features provide extra vertical greenery, offering privacy and transforming each balcony into a green sanctuary. In total, about 20 per cent of the façade surface consists of integrated vertical greenery.
Retirees Gerda and Johan, “We enjoy gardening here just like in our little garden back in Buitenvaart, only on the roof – it’s a lot more spectacular!”
