Residences Murandstraat Leeuwarden

Near the city center of Leeuwarden, on the corner of the Emanuel Murandstraat and the Nieuwe Schrans in Huizum West, we realized 15 residences on the location of the former Michaelschool. Residences for the rental sector. The quarter belongs tot he oldest planned quarters of the city. The hierarchy in the street pattern is evident. In one street there’s room for a garden in the other isn’t. Saddle-roofs in one street and flat roofs in the other. Roof gutters, dormers and corbels determine the image of the street.
It’s a green quarter with surprising views. Parking is a problem in the narrow streets. All these characteristics are included in the design. The school is replaced by three housing blocks, in between a passage to the parking places in the back of the blocks.
The residences have a total living surface of 108 m2, over two levels. The blocks correspond with the existing housing blocks. Every dwelling has a backyard, the dwellings on the Nieuwe Schrans have a small front yard like their neighbors. The residence on the corner is more urban and is more prominent with the façade directly on the sidewalk. The Murandstraat has the same allure.
The meaning is to exactly fit in the new residences in the existing city-plan. The public space predicts how the quarter is designed. The size and scale corresponds with the existing and also the rhythm of the windows corresponds, like the color of the bricks. The white roof gutters and white strips we left to the existing buildings. The horizontal lines in de facades we bring back on places where the windows are pictured. This balances the plan. The eaves are interrupted every new dwelling to emphasize the individuality in the street scenery.

Ordering party: Bouwbedrijf Lont
Location: Murandstraat, Leeuwarden
Realization: 2013