Wisselspoor Utrecht

Alignment among architects

Most of the housing in Wisselspoor was designed by 3 architects: Zecc, Mees Visser and Space Encounters. In addition, some architects are involved in the self-build plots and CPO blocks. The urban plan called for great diversity.

There is a huge variety in color, roof shape and material. But always a small grain and an architecture that stands firmly on the ground a unified in itself. Much attention was given to creating good angles. In that variety, the architects reinforce each other. In one façade wall, gray stone, red brick, yellow tile and black wood stand boldly side by side.

Block A

In Building Block A, Zecc designed a grain of 3 ground-floor dwellings of 5.1 m with a black wood facade. The recessed entrance niches with integrated planters provide privacy while activating the street. The houses are designed so that bedrooms are always oriented across the full width of the houses. The relatively narrow grid size of 5.1 is never divided.

Block B

The size of Building Block B is relatively shallow and therefore patio houses have been designed. This gives the houses 2 front facades. Zecc has designed 3 houses in red brickwork of 5.1 meters wide. On the street side the houses are 3 storeys and on the railroad park the house has one (raised) storey.

Block C - patio house

On the other side of Block C, Zecc was asked to elaborate 5 houses of 5.1 meters with good corner house. The corner house received a patio on the facade and 2-story practice room. Zecc stretched 3 homes in brick to 6 meters and 2 homes in black wood just narrowed to 3.8 meters. This created two starter homes and three wide homes within the “sea” of 5.1-meter homes on Wisselspoor.

Block C - corner house

The urban plan prescribes a number of 3-under-one-roof houses. On a prominent corner of the plan, Zecc chose to combine three ground-level homes together under one roof. Façade and roof are black wood and all façade openings are in different sizes of square gable openings. Two houses have a back garden as usual, but by moving the last house backwards, a special patio on the corner with large windows on the park is created.

Block C - row houses

At the 2e Daalsedijk Zecc designed a block of 3 houses of 3 floors. The starting point is a clear appearance with a beautiful depth by the large vertical facade opening with planter. A strong cohesive block, in which the individual dwelling can also be easily read. The use of brick in a thin-bed mortar reinforces the sculptural and abstract nature of the architecture.

Block D

In Block D, Zecc was allowed to design one 4-story private residence. The detailing and theme is consistent with the project-designed houses, but a lighter brick was chosen. On the railroad side, a block of 3 houses was designed of 4-story brick.

The scale of the railroad and the railroad park called for a bit more height and there is a lot of residential quality on the second floor. Again, a large vertical facade opening with planter was created and a loft allowing living over two layers. 

Photography: Stijn Poelstra fotografie & video