MaMa One: Poppies is located in the Buiksloterham neighborhood in Amsterdam North. Developed by MaMa Pioneers, the project comprises a residential building constructed almost entirely of wood, using prefabricated modules produced in Germany and transported by truck to Amsterdam.
Working closely with Marc Koehler Associates (MKA), MaMa Pioneers develops and operates modular residential buildings with shared housing arrangements and an emphasis on sustainability and environmental performance.
Program and shared facilities
The first project created by MaMa Pioneers, “Poppies,” is named after the pioneer plant species commonly found in vacant lots and post-industrial sites.
The development comprises 103 mid-range rental apartments ranging in size from approximately 40 to 54 square meters. In addition to private residences, Poppies includes a variety of shared facilities designed to support daily use and collective activities. These include an entrance hall with lockers, exhibition space, shared kitchen and living room, coworking areas, laundry room, and a creative space.
Outdoor amenities are distributed throughout the project and include interior gardens and areas for urban agriculture. A pavilion on the terrace accommodates shared uses such as dining, exercise, and informal gatherings. A mobility center provides shared bicycles and cars for residents.
Construction system and structure
MaMa One: Poppies is the first completed project to implement the SUPERWOOD modular timber housing system on a full scale. Developed by Superlofts in partnership with MKA, the project is based on prefabricated three-dimensional cross-laminated timber (CLT) modules combined with a basement, a pedestal, and a concrete ground floor structure.
The Superwood system was designed as an integrated design and construction method rather than a fixed building type. The modules can be connected horizontally and vertically, allowing for a variety of apartment sizes and layouts within a standardized structure. In its all-wood configuration, the system allows modules to be stacked up to eight stories without additional stabilizing elements; when combined with a concrete core, this can be extended to ten stories.
At Poppies, a concrete base accommodates parking, as well as shared and commercial spaces, while the wooden modules are stacked above in configurations ranging from two to five stories.
Spatial organization and access
Poppies consists of four buildings arranged around a shared inner courtyard and garden. These buildings are interconnected by access galleries that connect apartments, terraces, and common areas. The galleries also provide access to stairs and ramps, allowing circulation between the different levels of the project and contributing to the distribution of shared spaces throughout the complex.
Long-term flexibility and adaptability
A fundamental premise of the Superwood system is long-term adaptability. The Poppies apartments are organized around standardized modules that can be reconfigured over time through horizontal or vertical connections. This allows dwellings to be combined or expanded by modifying internal walls or introducing new openings, without altering the primary structural logic.
The modular layout supports future conversion scenarios, including the potential reconfiguration of units into larger apartments should program requirements change. This approach aims to extend the functional life of the building by allowing for adjustments rather than replacements.
Landscape, ecology, and environmental systems
Landscape elements are integrated throughout the project, with planting introduced at ground level, in the interior courtyard, and on the roof terraces. The roof terrace incorporates areas for urban agriculture, including a chicken coop and beehives. A water retention system irrigates vertical gardens and contributes to passive cooling during warmer periods.
The building includes measures to support biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, bats, and insects. Composting of household waste is used to fertilize the soil in the gardens. Vegetation throughout the project contributes to sound absorption and heat moderation in the dense urban context.
Bibliography
Knudsen, J. (2025) ‘Poppies in Buiksloterham’, Het Houtblad, 37(8), December, pp. 46–51.
