The former grounds of Vitesse football club were earmarked by the city of Arnhem as a new residential area. The ‘Minerva’ project is located on a slope on the edge of the site. In order to give full expression to the green and undulating character of the site, six building volumes were arranged perpendicular to the slope. Allowing the blocks to ‘float’ above ground level accentuates the height difference across the terrain and maximises the contrast between the built and natural. The balconies of the apartments are contained within the envelope of the building volumes so that the quality of the landscape is retained as far as possible. In addition, the parking spaces are located beneath the buildings and are therefore concealed from view.

The gallery extending across the northern sides and the graphic treatment of the facades reinforce the horizontal character of the complexes. The printed glass used on the facades partly reflects the surroundings and also reveals the layered facade composition: the foil on the external walls, and the recessed balconies, stairwells and lift shafts. Inside, the natural surroundings are echoed in the use of wood in all spaces, with the exception of the apartments themselves.

Each complex consists of seven apartments of various typologies: flats and maisonettes. The plans of the maisonette dwellings interlock with one another. This complex internal programme is visible externally through the transparent facade. As a result, the seemingly monolithic block reveals its differentiated character when seen from close by.