CPO VEEMARKT
Large
CPO Veemarkt exemplifies the transformative potential of motivated citizens engaging in Collective Private Commissioning (CPO). This project highlights how community-driven efforts can significantly enhance living quality and add value to the city of Utrecht.
In 2012, Loof was entrusted with the unique opportunity to design the only CPO plot on the former porter's lodge of the Veemarkt site in Utrecht. From that moment on, the future residents became “project developers”. The CPO construction empowered future residents to take on the role of "project developers," managing every aspect of the plan development from inception to completion. This hands-on involvement allowed them to shape the aesthetic and functional aspects of their homes, both inside and out.
The outcome is a diverse collection of 14 custom homes, thoughtfully arranged around a central courtyard, the greenest part of Veemarkthallen. Spanning a 2,400 m² plan, the homes vary in size from cozy 75 m² family houses to expansive 200 m² urban villas. This range of sizes and the high quality of housing offered are uncommon in typical small-scale developments, setting CPO Veemarkt apart as a model of innovative, community-centered urban design.
Inspired by the diversity in clients, Loof aimed to create a spacial framework within which the clients could configuratie the size and volume of their homes. Each house consists of a carefully chosen number of blocks, each 1,5m by 3m by 3m, meticulously composed to create the best fitting unique home.
The houses arranged around a central courtyard, the greenest area within Veemarkthallen. The facades are designed to respond to the surrounding environment. In the collective courtyard, the volumes and facades are more informal, featuring variations in depth and height. Clad in warm wood, these facades harmonize with the natural appearance of the lush inner garden. Conversely, the exterior facades, finished in white plaster, reflect the formal character of the surrounding streets, creating a cohesive yet dynamic architectural composition.
