'De Verbinder' sets a new standard for social housing

A total of 230 sustainable homes will be built at this location, 134 of which will be social housing units, developed by Woonin and designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects. This apartment building will be called "De Verbinder." In addition, 43 mid-market rental units and 53 private sector units will be built. This building will be called "Common Ground." Vink Bouw is responsible for the construction of both the residential buildings and the parking garage. The homes are suitable for a wide range of households: both young and old. Several apartments are intended for young people up to 23 years old, both transitioning to and from the housing market.

Sustainability and health take center stage

Renowned and innovative architects designed these two buildings: Paul de Ruiter Architects for "De Verbinder" and Arons & Gelauff Architects for "Common Ground." They were tasked with focusing on sustainability and health, combined with the well-being of the residents. The courtyard, atop the parking garage, will become a green oasis connecting to the adjacent park. Greenery will also be added along the facades and on the roofs. Local residents will soon be able to use the courtyard, strengthening the connection between the neighborhood and the building. The buildings are expected to be completed simultaneously in the third quarter of 2027.

Alderman Marieke Schouten: "This is the first of five new construction projects in City West. And it's also located in a historically significant location, namely where Wi-Fi was invented. That makes this milestone extra special. On our way to becoming the most sustainable city center in the Netherlands, we're taking significant steps in City West. The new homes will be cooled and heated via geothermal energy storage, and solar panels will be installed. The toilets will be flushed with purified wastewater. The greenery in the courtyard will be irrigated with collected and buffered rainwater. This way, we're conserving drinking water, making us a frontrunner in the Netherlands."

Katja van Boeijen, Housing Manager at Nieuwegein Woonin, explains: "City West is a large inner-city development, and we're delighted to be a part of it. We're proud to be creating a sustainable residential building for a wide target group in this unique location. We're adding 134 social housing apartments to the housing stock, including a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments, maisonettes, and several studios. The communal courtyard garden provides greenery, a space for socializing, and connection. We hope to delight many tenants with a beautiful new apartment by the end of 2027."

Vink Bouw's Director of Development, Bernlef de Vries: "At Vink Bouw, we are very pleased and proud to be able to contribute to the development of this striking location. Vink Bouw is contributing by creating sustainable new homes with abundant greenery, smart systems, and sustainable and circular materials. This proves that as a team—client, municipality, and construction company—we can deliver a wonderfully sustainable project for a wide range of target groups. Work has now begun on the social housing units in De Verbinder. This spring, we will begin work on Common Ground, the subsequent subproject that takes sustainable construction a step further."

Read more about: 'De Verbinding'