A characteristic of the location is that the wing of the dwelling lies in between the reasonably busy road Bestevaerstraat, and the internal garden. The location suggests two areas for redevelopment, firstly the question is raised of whether the location is ideal for apartments due to its proximity to the main road; instead placing small offices or local shops (aspect discussed previouslymultifunctionality) may be more suitable; secondly the opportunity to create a common space, such as small outdoor meeting space or further bike rack space as more payment space is available. SOLUTION 1: MULTIFUNCTIONALITY- as this wing is located perpendicularly to the 2 main wings of the complex (4 story wings), it is considered that the wing is partially removed from the main residential block. A proposal to utilise the space for retail/office facilities may be appropriate, as this would mean less direct noise pollution for the residential blocks adjacent. Additionally, open offices and shops require open facades, which would enable the incorporation of the–TRANSPARENCY that exists due to its proximity to traffic. This connection to the street, as small shops or cafés, provides a simple opportunity for appropriating the street gradually, as it would involve both residents and passers-by. Currently it possesses an open façade to a busy main road which presents issues of privacy considering its current usage as dwellings; this contrasts with Juliana van Stolbergstraat, the street sits at the core of the residential block and its road is most often used only for access to the dwellings and not as a thoroughfare. A further benefit to the changed usage is the north facing façade – not a problem for shops and offices, but rather an advantage. ‘OPENING TO THE STREET-the wall along the street is made of glass, and the view in is of some inviting activity. No matter how the opening is formed, it is essential that it expose the ordinary activity inside in a way that invites people passing to take it in and have some relationship, however modest, to it.’64 ‘In this way the street can become not only a transitional space, but a street where things happen and people meet.’65 - C. Alexander
44
Img. 1. Opening of the street
SOLUTION 2: BIKE RACKS or PUBLIC OUTDOOR ROOM At present the area seems to be overcrowded not only by the standing cars, but also by a large number of randomly placed bikes; on hedges, sides of buildings and so on. The obvious conclusion is that designated bike racks and storages are insufficient or inadequate in the area. Therefore the dwellings could be converted into communal bike storage. A shelter with columns and a semi-transparent/transparent facade, such as mesh, would be suitable for the function. ‘Build the racks for bikes to one side of the main entrance, so that the bikes don’t interfere with people’s natural movement in and out and give it some shelter, with the path from the racks to the entrance also under shelter.’66- C. Alexander Whilst the problem of bike storage certainly needs addressing, using the already constructed residence for this purpose is perhaps an inefficient use of the available space;