Collective living arrangements—what can we learn from them?

Due to individualization and the decline of traditional care systems, demand is growing for residential communities where residents look out for one another. Yet collective living arrangements are struggling to take off. Even in student housing, independent studios are more commonly built than rooms with shared facilities. What possibilities do row houses offer for collective living? What can we learn from tried-and-true spatial models such as the “hofje”?

FASadE, AORTA, and CoLA will discuss these topics during this meeting on Thursday afternoon, September 17. Prior to the meeting, participants can visit various “hofjes.”

Residents
The meeting will be preceded by visits to various courtyards, where residents will share their experiences. The moderator is journalist and podcast creator Robin de Wever, who will also serve as the discussion leader that afternoon. Guido van Ingen is also part of a collective as a resident. As a social manager at Portaal, he is involved with Majella, Place2beU, and Meanderpark in Utrecht, and during this gathering he’ll discuss what it takes to help a community flourish.

Space-mates
During the gathering in the Mannenzaal , Marleen Delfos of Atelier van Berlo will share the results of the design research project “Ruimtegenoten.” The research explores how housing preferences, neighborhood ties, care needs, and age-friendly design can be integrated. They developed strategies for a common Dutch block of townhouses that allow people aged 55 and older to continue living in their own neighborhood.

Map of Amersfoort’s Courtyards
FASadE has mapped a selection of Amersfoort’s courtyard complexes on a new architectural map. The Amersfoort Courtyard Map will be launched with a presentation by urban planner Johan Galjaard. He will discuss the findings from his visits to the courtyards and place the concept of collective living around a shared courtyard within a broader cultural-historical perspective.

ARO and the CoLA Foundation
As part of the CoLA x Spatial Design Action Agenda 2026–2028 Activity Plan, five regional hubs were asked to develop a regional program. This program focuses on the role and significance of design research as a tool for social dialogue, policy renewal, and public engagement in the spatial future of the Netherlands. In the East-Central regional hub, FASadE is collaborating with AORTA from Utrecht. This event on collective housing forms aims to foster a social dialogue with civil society partners and professionals in the spatial (design) sector. The design research project “Ruimtegenoten” by Atelier van Berlo serves as the starting point for this initiative.