In 2020, Bygg was invited to lead a participatory workshop in Brainport Smart District: the Kavel Lab. Together with future residents – the Pioneers – we translated their vision into a master plan for the district.
One of the groups was assigned a long, narrow plot on the edge of the park, with the working name “Heuvelrug.” In 2022, they commissioned Bygg to further develop the plan into an architectural design, through a collective private commissioning (CPO) process.
The design consists of four connected, single-storey homes forming a low, horizontal volume that blends into the landscape and visually lifts the park. Green roofs, semi-patios, and light catchers connect the houses to nature, bringing in air and daylight.
The homes are modular, built from prefabricated biobased elements using wooden I-beams, with façades made of wood and reused materials. A “Biodiversity Booster” made of crushed old bricks protects the homes from the sun while offering space for climbing plants and small animals.
Each home follows a 3x3 spatial grid, with central rooms beneath light catchers and flexible living layouts. The orientation and materials ensure natural ventilation, water buffering, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.
