Tuindorp Frankendaal

Tuindorp Frankendaal was built in 1952, and was one of the first postwar housing projects in Amsterdam. It is also referred to as Jeruzalem because of its low, boxy, white buildings that—to some—resemble the architecture of the Israeli capital. The owners of the 672 units of housing, three of the largest nonprofit housing corporations in Amsterdam, were concerned that the mostly tiny (325 to 435 sq. ft.) inadequately insulated apartments would not be viable indefinitely. Instead of spending large sums on costly repairs of obsolete buildings, they proposed demolition and new construction. This proposal was fiercely opposed by the tenant association and was not supported by the local borough council.

In 2001 I was brought in by the housing corporations to re-establish communications between the various stakeholders and manage the planning process. First, a study of the original urban design and architecture was commissioned. The research was undertaken by the Amsterdam Department of Preservation and published with financial support from Netherlands Architecture Fund and the City of Amsterdam. Next, an architect was selected to develop a masterplan. I was responsible for maintaining relationships with all the stakeholders --residents, city officials, housing corporations-- keeping them informed and engaged during the study and design process.

The masterplan called for the preservation of large part of the original buildings in combination with new construction. Unfortunately, the complex was not considered a landmark and therefore ineligible for preservation funds. In the end, the project didn't receive the political support needed to go forward, and it remains in limbo today.