This project, submitted for the Benut de Overruimte competition, offers a social and sustainable solution to the Netherlands' housing crisis and its challenge of constructing one million homes over the next five years.

The core proposal is to preserve existing neighbourhoods by adding compact, fully self-contained homes of 30 m2 and 50 m2 onto flat rooftops. The new construction utilises lightweight steel with a copper-like finish. This low-maintenance, recyclable material is an environmentally friendly alternative, and its colour is a clear reference to traditional red brick. Sustainability and social cohesion are central to our design. Solar panels make both the new homes and the existing building electrically self-sufficient. Green roofs and pergolas provide cooling and water retention, and contribute to the restoration of urban biodiversity, featuring planting specifically for bees and insects, which are threatened with extinction in urban areas. A new high-efficiency lift makes the entire building fully accessible. The continuous promenade with integrated bench-like window niches actively encourages chance encounters and strengthens neighbourhood cohesion. Finally, the added space on the ground floor offers new opportunities for the area, such as social rooms, shops, or workspaces, injecting new vitality into the district.

Our design is applicable to any building with a flat roof and is suitable for any location, allowing it to generate economic, sociological, and cultural added value for any country.