Is rational design the key to 21st-century housing solutions?
OutThere #6 – Ensemble Urbanism
The sixth edition of De Zwarte Hond’s bookazine OutThere focuses on Ensemble Urbanism: a plea for a fresh approach to urban development. The current housing challenge calls for greater speed, scale and quality. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the human dimension and quality of life. In this context, De Zwarte Hond sees an important role for urban development ensembles, in which architecture, public space and urban development work together as a matter of course.
Ensemble Urbanism offers a new perspective on area development that is rational, scale-oriented and has social impact. Breaking through rigid templates, it makes room for faster, better and more affordable construction. It encourages encounters, reinforces the range of amenities and makes cities climate-adaptive and liveable.
This edition of OutThere is the result of a multifaceted study, put together using practical examples, historical context and discussions with experts. Inspiration comes from, among other things, Groupe Brisson’s habitations à bon marché [low-cost homes] in Paris and large urban ensembles in Barcelona, London and the Netherlands.
With Ensemble Urbanism, De Zwarte Hond is taking a decisive step towards agenda-setting urban development that no longer follows, but leads the way. After all, rational design might be the key to 21st-century housing solutions. Not as a goal in itself, but as a powerful means to tackle the housing crisis and build the resilient, liveable cities of tomorrow.
data
- Location
- Nederland, NL
- Size
- 120 p.
- Client
- De Zwarte Hond
- Discipline
- Research
- Program
- Design Research, Publications & Exhibitions
- Period
- 2024-2025
- Status
- Completed
- Downloads
- themes
A renewed collaboration between urban planning and architecture
Under the title Ensemble Urbanism, the sixth edition of OutThere, De Zwarte Hond’s bookazine, explores a fresh approach to urban development. Each edition of OutThere investigates the relationship between design and society in relation to a current theme, contributing to the broader professional debate and playing an agenda-setting role. While the previous edition focused on proximity and station areas, in this issue Ensemble Urbanism takes centre stage.
The content of OutThere is the result of discussions between agency members, as well as with clients and specialists. These exchanges lead to forward-looking insights, reflections and perspectives, forming the basis for the development of De Zwarte Hond’s vision and work. Each edition is compiled by a different editorial team within the agency, and the entire team supports the content.
The housing challenge of our time calls for greater speed, scale and quality. By designing in urban ensembles and safeguarding the human dimension through architecture, we can be quicker to arrive at supported solutions. To do this, urban development and architecture – two closely related disciplines – must learn to work together again. De Zwarte Hond knows how: Ensemble Urbanism
“We need to think and act bigger.”
“Paris – HBM – Rue”. 1930.
Ensemble Urbanism as a solution for spatial challenges
The housing shortage is acute, affordability is under pressure and area development is proceeding too slowly. What is missing is a new perspective for tackling spatial challenges quickly and effectively.
De Zwarte Hond believes that it’s time for change. This must begin with a sense of urgency on the part of all the actors involved. Next, it’s important to let go of ingrained patterns, so that we can shape areas differently, in better and more rapid ways. After extensive research, De Zwarte Hond is convinced that the future lies in Ensemble Urbanism – rational urban development that starts with scale, design ambition and social relevance.
This approach offers opportunities not only to build on a larger scale without losing the human dimension, but also to encourage encounters, to design urban areas to be climate-adaptive, to maintain the range of amenities and – above all – to make the living environment more beautiful and pleasant. Ensemble Urbanism connects urban development, architecture and public space in a natural way. Urban development then shifts from serving to setting the agenda – not as an end in itself, but as a means to solve the housing crisis and to realize better cities.
“We want to work together in better ways, build more rapidly and affordably, and create socially impactful living environments.”
Multifaceted research into urban development renewal
The Groupe Brisson’s habitations à bon marché [low-cost homes] in Paris are fine examples of Ensemble Urbanism and a great source of inspiration for De Zwarte Hond’s thinking about urban development renewal.
In this sixth edition of OutThere, Ensemble Urbanism is further explored through a brief history of the urban ensemble in Barcelona, Paris and the Netherlands; an exchange of letters about monumental ensembles in London and the relationship between buildings and public space; two projects by De Zwarte Hond; six design features of Ensemble Urbanism; and in-depth discussions with experts and clients.
You can order OutThere #6 via the link below.
