KOW Architects designed the residential project STROOM for developer Blauwhoed and the municipality of Utrecht. The project is located at the shore park next to Amsterdam-Rijn canal in Leidsche Rijn, the new suburban district of Utrecht. The 45 sustainable dwellings are built in a modern interpretation of the Utrecht Art Deco style.

Split-levelled communal green courtyard
The terraced city homes are designed around a communal green courtyard. Part of this inner area is the  parking garage that is constructed half above and half under ground level. The different levels in the garden invite the residents to be active and social in a natural way and create the conditions for special split-level houses. The different housing types offer numerous layout options, so that the houses can develop along with the residents.

Sustainable and healthy
Project STROOM is sustainable and healthy. The houses are ‘all-electric’ and ‘energy neutral’ as result of an individual air heating pump, solar panels, a heat recovery ventilation system and optimal thermal insulation and ambient noise reduction. The ingenious system of water-collecting yard fences, garden tubs and wadis in the communal courtyard makes sustainable use of rainwater possible and allows children to play with water in a natural way.

Richly detailed masonry in Art Deco style
A contemporary translation of the typical Utrecht Art Deco architecture has been the inspiration for  STROOM’s architectural design. With vertical and rounded lines, high windows and entrances, a legible rhythm and crafted masonry with ornaments.

The richly detailed brickwork was designed and engineered by KOW Architects with a great sense of craftsmanship and precisely executed by contractor Klaassen. Five types of bricks are used in the facade; a light gray brick in the plinth produced by Olivier, a liver brown brick by Rijswaard, a red brown brick by Engels, a dark brown one by VanderSanden and glazed bricks coming from St. Joris.

The bricks are laid in different bonds and patterns; stretching, standing and stacked bonds together double basketweave patterns. Interesting shadow effects are created in relief patterns with alternating flat and sticking out laid stretchers and headers and the open ‘Brazilian’ bond of brick laid fences adjacent to the public space.

The crafted masonry is combined with concrete ornaments and frames decorated with interpretated Art Deco patterns. Fences that gives access to the inner area and the parking garage, as well as the balustrades of the French balconies are specially designed for the project, also based on the design language of Art Deco.

The mansions in the project have recently been completed, in the spring of 2021. The courtyard is currently under construction and expected to be completed before the summer.