In the Overhoeks district of Amsterdam North, the apartment complex De Louise has been completed. Designed by De Zwarte Hond for housing corporation Ymere, the building accommodates 113 compact social housing units that, despite their modest size, offer a surprisingly high quality of living.
Thanks to close collaboration between the client, architect, contractor, and manufacturers, an efficient and affordable structural shell was realized with a short construction time. This allowed for smart floor plans, abundant daylight, and generous indoor-outdoor connections via wide, continuous balconies with views. Every apartment benefits from a private outdoor space—an element not required by building regulations, but consciously included in the design. The façade was developed early in the process together with the manufacturer, allowing for meticulous attention to detail. Within a prefabricated system, a distinctive form was achieved: shallow balconies with curved ceilings, supported by slender, cross-shaped columns. Together with the railings, these details give De Louise its unique character.
The apartments are efficiently stacked around a spacious atrium, which is visually and physically connected to the waterfront and a large rooftop terrace. This collective space encourages interaction among residents. The layout of the apartments contributes to this: every kitchen window looks out onto the corridor and the atrium. A sunken bicycle storage area is directly accessible from the street and connected to the atrium, encouraging residents to cycle. The tall, flexible plinth offers space for community functions. De Louise strengthens social cohesion among residents and contributes to the vibrancy and amenities of Overhoeks.