Nuenen’s population is ageing. There is a great need for housing for the elderly and first-time buyers, preferably near existing facilities. Several building sites are under development, but in the picturesque village, there is much discussion about building heights.

Commissioned by the municipality of Nuenen, ANA architects is working with urban planner Marjolein Peters of Studio Scale on a building guide. The building guide addresses issues surrounding building in a village environment. This extends the discussion about only ‘building higher’ to the point of how Nuenen can meet the housing challenge while maintaining the identity and core qualities of the village.

Building in a village context requires inventive solutions, balancing spatial characteristics, housing programs, parking and affordability. But other themes are also addressed that can provide a quality boost, such as solutions for more sustainability, more greenery and water and good parking solutions.

The intended result of the building guide is a practical and inspiring framework for initiatives and plans. The focus is development-oriented, appoints ground rules for compacting the village, and describes a working method that the municipality and initiators can use. ANA and Studio Scale do this based on sample designs for various locations in the village.