De Meeuwen

De Meeuwen is a housing plan originating from the 2009 Groningen manifestation "Intense low-rise" (Intense laagbouw manifestatie) located between the Oosterpoort neighborhood and Europaweg. The plan consists of a mix of various housing types of three and four layers, situated around a green communal space. At the Europaweg, one of the access roads to the city center, the plan is the highest and most urban with large four-story housing. These houses include a compact outdoor space in the form of a small garden and a roof terrace. The three-story houses on the east side only have a small garden. The gardens border the communal green space with a gradual transition of pergolas and brick garden walls. The green inner area contains lush wilderness with space for flora, fauna and water retention through a wadi, as well as places for children to play. The brick architecture of all buildings and garden walls creates a strong coherence where subtle details emphasize the different typologies and connections to the context.