Cohousing Bijgaardehof

The turnkey assignment included structural works, finishing and technical installations for three cohousing buildings and a community health centre, as well as the completion of shared spaces.

The development comprises 59 residential units and communal areas, distributed across three sections. The western section accommodates 25 families (Wijgaard), a shared car park and the health centre. The southern section houses 15 families (De Spore), while the eastern section provides homes for 19 families (Biotope).

The three new buildings are arranged around a central courtyard. Each cohousing group has its own dedicated common areas, complemented by shared spaces accessible to all residents, such as gardens and parking. These are integrated with preserved elements of the former factory, including original walls.

Situated within Bijgaarde Park, the project is surrounded by greenery, placing nature at the heart of future living.

For sustainability, a borehole energy storage (BEO) system was installed, using geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The field comprises 48 boreholes reaching depths of up to 148 metres, enabling nearly zero-energy homes (BEN). Rainwater is collected via cisterns (three of 10,000 litres and one of 20,000 litres), complemented by green roofs, an infiltration sewer and a wadi. In addition to semi-intensive green roofs, a retention roof was added, allowing delayed water discharge and even vegetable cultivation—already in practice today.

From an ecological perspective, recycled materials were incorporated. In the Biotope building, tiles from the original Malmar factory were reused, and a sports floor from Rotor was installed in a play area.