Can We Make Buildings Smart, Social and Sustainable Through Sharing?

Woon& consists of three apartment buildings currently under construction on Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam. The concept of the buildings is completely based on sharing. In collaboration with BPD — the largest real estate developer in the Netherlands — we researched the sharing economy model to create a concept that makes this building a central hub in the neighbourhood.

The Sharing Economy in Urban Development

BPD asked us to investigate the role of the sharing economy in urban development. Our report De deeleconomie in gebiedsontwikkeling — The Sharing Economy in Urban Development — was based on extensive desk research, trend analysis, and creative sessions with key players of the tech industry. The results of the research project were presented during a conference at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam. Based on this report we’ve developed a concept for a living environment in which collective and shared spaces form the central element.

Woon&: A Living Environment Based on Sharing

The idea behind Woon& is to unlock to unused potential of a residential building and its surroundings. The best way to do so is sharing. Private parking spots usually stay empty during most of the day, guest rooms are only used when visitors stay overnight and closets are full of tools that we use only once a year. Woon& explores how a better organisation of a living environment improves the usage of valuable inner-city spaces and the way people live together. Moreover, we believe that the communal facilities will create a sense of community and belonging.

Woon& offers residents many extra services and amenities on top of their living space, such as co-working desks, flexible mini-shops that are able to change owner over the course of a day, shared BMWi electric vehicles which can be booked with an app, and communal guest rooms. The buildings of Woon& were designed by architects Arons & Gelauff.