The builders competition for biobased and nature inclusive construction in Leeuwaren Nieuw Oud Oost, a neighborhood in the north of the Netherlands, has been won by the plan beHagen. The plan is named after ‘hagen’, hedges in Dutch, that form a finely meshed ecological network in the surrounding area of Leeuwarden. With this concept, the project adheres to the culturally historic values of the region.  

The competition was set out by the Dutch Board of Government Advisers, social housing company WoonFriesland and the municipality of Leeuwarden with the goal of coming up with an affordable, nature inclusive and biobased design and eventually building project that results in 45-50 social housing units. The project has an innovative nature, showcasing a sustainable use of materials, whilst at the same time improving social cohesion between residents and adding value to the spatial environment through a variety of living spaces.

Three teams developed their vision into a design. The other two designs (Het Ringbosk and Nieuw Oud Oost) are equally valuable in illustrating how affordable and scalable biobased and nature inclusive construction for social housing has the future.