Information

Het Gebouw started as a pilot project for the new lively neighbourhood De Kooi in the North of Leiden. Various social and community accommodations are gathered in a building that stimulates multiple use of space and reactivates the social life of the neighbourhood. Het Gebouw houses three primary schools, day nurseries, care organisations, a public library, community centre and sports facilities. But also apartments, housing for the elderly and mentally disabled. This makes Het Gebouw the first step into a new, vital and life cycle proof part of the city.

A central square lies at the heart of the plan. All the different elements of the program can be found in shops and niches surrounding it. For the design of the central square we used examples from the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. This lively meeting point will both be the heart of the neighborhood and house the community complex and is suitable for highly diverse events such as performances, film nights, political gatherings and neighbourhood parties.