De Veilingmeester (The Auctioneer)

The houses of De Veilingmeester reflect the character traits that can be seen in the old ribbons of the neighboring villages of Grootebroek, Lutjebroek and Broekerhaven. These ribbons were built in West Frisian style from the '10-'20s and are characterized by their simple volumes with a gabled or mansard roof and warm, friendly and scenic appearance. This is translated in a contemporary way in the plan of De Veilingmeester. Row houses, detached houses and semi-detached houses with natural materials such as brick and wood alternate in type and tone to create a village atmosphere.

At important points in the plan, a special feature in the form of a gable end enriches the facade. The partially sheltered front gardens of the houses are not only a pleasant transition to the house, they also provide liveliness to the street and stimulate contact among the residents. It is the ideal place to have a chat with a passing neighbor or keep an eye on the children playing outside.

In addition to a front garden, all homes have a spacious backyard where, if adjacent to water, there is even the possibility of mooring a boat. The homes along the dike have access to a large porch creating a spacious west-facing terrace overlooking the dike and water. To keep the car out of the streetscape as much as possible, parking is realized on private property where possible and otherwise in small cases. This leaves plenty of space for greenery and trees in the street. 

The architecture of the auction building is inspired by the famous old auctions in the area. The light wooden facade cladding and the many embellishments such as the top gables, gallery and turret give the building a special and rich look. The apartments all have a west-facing outdoor space in the form of a garden, balcony or terrace along the entire rear facade of the house and are oriented toward the water, so that the sun and the view can be enjoyed for as long as possible.

Surrounding the auction building is a large green public space connected by bridges to the other islands and the waterfront playground opposite. A public jetty forms the heart of the area where local residents can meet and enjoy the water and the evening sun. Everything is in place to create a pleasant and safe living environment where one can enjoy coming home.

Impressions by: DW Animations