Development Atelier: Private Housing Commissions

In the Netherlands, housing commissioned by private individuals is a hotly discussed theme that seems to have trouble getting off the ground. During a development atelier organized in 2001 it became evident that this is partly due to the architects’ lack of experience. Various architects and experts investigated the potential roles of the architect within the burgeoning market of private clients. The classic role is that of the architect who designs a tailor-made house and supervises the entire construction process. The atelier also explored a more flexible role, with the architect producing designs based on prefabricated elements or presenting a catalogue of options, and then supervising construction only to a certain extent. The architect’s role as a housing adviser is critical, so that future clients are aware of their residential needs and aspirations and to demonstrate the added value of bespoke design.