Moos Euterpe Housing Doelpad, Maasland building Netherlands, Dutch architecture images

Moos Euterpe Housing in Maasland, The Netherlands

13 Feb 2024

Design: Concrete

Location: Doelpad, Maasland, Holland, The Netherlands

Photos by Moos by Concrete

Moos Euterpe, The Netherlands

Concrete is proud to partner with Moos, an innovative housing concept aiming to create high-quality homes for everyone. The name Moos stands for “In the Middle Of Our Street” – derived from the iconic song by Madness – and embodies the goal of creating a vibrant community where everyone feels at home.

Moos’ mission is to solve the Dutch housing crisis in a social and sustainable way by creating and building high-quality homes for everyone. The prefabricated homes by Moos are circular and modular and, if necessary, fully demountable and reusable.

Our ambitions for a greener future are central, whether building for families, couples, or individuals. Concrete has been a partner in Moos since its inception in 2020, contributing greatly to its development of the concept, architecture, and branding. Several projects are currently underway, with approximately 500 homes to be built in the near future.

Moos Euterpe is the first Moos project to be completed. It is a social housing project located in Maasland, a small village under the smoke of Rotterdam known for its close-knit community. The architecture, designed by Concrete, is driven by the goal of crafting a space that instills pride in residents and creates a sense of connection within the community. Consisting of 30 housing units, Moos Euterpe is ready to accommodate both small and large families, given that the units are different sizes. The complex is comprised of two buildings that face each other.

In the middle of the two buildings, there is a garden which acts as the connecting and social heart of the complex. The architecture incorporates a step-back facade, transforming galleries into verandas. This feature provides plenty of space for residents, whether it be to create a small seating area, place a flower pot, or even hang a hammock. Beyond individual expression, this design element emphasizes the importance of the transition between public and private spaces, fostering connections between neighbors.

Moos: Modular housing solutions

The modular design allows for a wide variety of housing types and sizes. As a result, both individuals and families can find a home in Moos. Modules range from studios to four-bedroom houses.

As residents’ living needs differ and are constantly evolving, Moos strives to offer personalization options without compromising on high quality standards. Therefore, each 2, 3, and 4-bedroom home consists of two modules.

One “basic” module accommodates all programmed basic necessities such as sleeping, cooking, and washing. The other module is the “personal” module, a freely configurable space that can be used entirely according to a resident’s specific needs to live in his or her unique way. The personal module is a well-lit lounge area, making it a versatile place with multiple orientations and which can be used throughout the day. With its open connection to the veranda, the outdoor space also becomes an extension of living.

Moos: Creating a lively community

Moos’ vision is not only about creating high-quality and affordable housing, but it also places a spotlight on its community. Communal areas are thoughtfully integrated into the overall design. For instance, Moos apartment complexes include Moos Plein, a welcoming space at the entrance where residents can come together. The galleries and green spaces are activated into spaces for interaction. Thoughtfully designed and programmed, these spaces aim to encourage residents to connect and engage with one another.

“Moos provides more than just a house; it provides a home, one that residents can take pride in. It’s more than just a place to live; it’s a solid foundation for personal growth and well-being. Moos creates a sense of belonging, making social housing social again,” says Erikjan Vermeulen, partner and head of architecture at Concrete.

Moos: Circularity and modularity

Euterpe is the first Moos complex to be built. The next one will be Moos Appelweg in Amsterdam, with 63 homes, an many more projects are in the pipeline. Moos is a start-up whose goal is to tackle the housing shortage with a quality product in the Netherlands. This is achieved through an innovative construction strategy based on partnership, modularity, and circularity.

“There is both a major construction challenge and an enormous climate challenge ahead of us, and we offer a solution for both,” says Joost Hoffman co-founder of Moos.

Modular construction: Fast, cost-efficient, and demountable

The construction of homes takes place in a factory setting, guaranteeing ideal conditions for optimal quality. The homes are then prefabricated and transported to the construction site, including window frames, kitchens, bathrooms, finishes, and installations. On site, the units are constructively linked and stacked, and the installations are connected using a plug and play principle. This enables the rapid and cost-efficient construction of a Moos project while maintaining a high standard of quality. Additionally, it contributes to waste reduction and facilitates recycling, aligning with Moos’ dedication to sustainable development.

A clever stacking system allows for a wide range of Moos units ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments in a veranda style and extending up to eight stories high. In addition, Moos is working to expand its modules and residential floor plans to include single-family ground-level residences, corridor residences, and residential towers up to 70 meters high. The modular design also allows a Moos building to stack apartments and low-rise homes into hybrid buildings. Combining various floor plans within a single structure, Moos facilitates the rapid realization of construction projects. This allows it to meet diverse housing needs, from large to small, and high to low. Moos is able to realize complete neighbourhoods of great diversity.

Circular materialization

The hybrid and circular materialization sets Moos projects apart from traditional construction methods. Traditional materials are replaced by sustainable, recycled, and upcycled materials harvested from demolition partners. In cases where recycled materials are not feasible, Concrete opts for bio-based alternatives. For instance, floors are crafted from recycled concrete, while Cross Laminated Timber walls serve as the primary load-bearing structure. Additionally, Moos utilizes wood window frames, filled with triple glazing, ensuring energy friendly design.

Flexible yet permanent

Moos homes are permanent, but nevertheless fully demountable, making them also suitable for temporary housing projects, without compromising the quality of permanent habitation. These temporary homes also have a building permit in accordance with permanent construction, allowing them to be reused in a new location in the future. Moos offers a take-back guarantee for temporary homes, committing to buy back homes after a period of temporary use. This guarantees circularity and reduces environmental impact.

Moos: Partner ecosystem

Moos operate within a collaborative partner ecosystem that differs from the traditional top-down structure. In this unique form of collaboration, different companies contribute with their expertise and are involved in the process from an early stage. As a result, the partners are sharing collective responsibility for the full life cycle of the delivered product and/or service. This maximizes the strengths of each individual partner, ensuring the quality of Moos. Find Moos partners listed in the credits below.

Moos Euterpe Housing in Doelpad, Maasland, The Netherlands – Building Information

Design: Concrete – https://concreteamsterdam.nl/
Project: Moos Euterpe
Client: Moos – in the Middle Of Our Street

Architecture and interior design: Concrete
Office address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 78a, 1012 DR, Amsterdam (NL)
E-mail: press@concreteamsterdam.nl

Project location
Address: Doelpad, Maasland (NL)
Website: www.wijzijnmoos.nl

Project information
Project team Concrete: Erikjan Vermeulen, Iwan Hameleers, Alain Fernandez del Rey, Matthijs Hombergen, Josep Garcia Trilles

Start design: Q3, 2022
Opening: Q4, 2023
Gross area: 2.000 sqm
Total constructed area: 1.000 sqm

Project team & partners
Project development & architectural engineering: Moos, Amsterdam (NL)

Concept, architecture & branding: Concrete, Amsterdam (NL)

Structural engineer: Van Rossum, Amsterdam (NL)
Building physics and fire safety: LBP Sight, Nieuwegein (NL)

Sustainability advisor: Ofme, Amsterdam (NL)
Concrete floors, balcony and gallery: Holcim, Krimpen aan den IJssel (NL)
Floating screed: Van Raaij Groep, Barneveld (NL)
CLT walls and ceilings: Heko Spanten, Ede (NL)

Facades and roofs: ZND Nedicom, Eindhoven (NL)
Stairs: Siem Steur, Volendam (NL)
Window frames, doors, internal walls: Vianen Kozijnen, Montfoort (NL)

Bathrooms: Sanifab, Dronrijp (NL)
Kitchens: Chainable (NL)

Mep contractor: Element Air, Amsterdam (NL)
Fences: VMG Versteeg Metaal Groep (NL)
Ground work and site preparations: EcoCare Milieutechniek (NL)
Foundations: IJB Groep (NL)
Dismantling: Van Ginkel Afbouw (NL)
Lifting facilities: BKV Kraanverhuur (NL)
Transport: Transportbedrijf G.L. de Haan (NL)
Electricity facilities: MD Service (NL)
Legal advice: RIDE.nl Your Legal Journey (NL)
Floors heating: R Floorzz (NL)

About concrete
Concrete is a multidisciplinary interior and architecture studio based in a canal house in the middle of the red light district in Amsterdam. Since 1997, Concrete has been developing innovative concepts that transcend traditional boundaries. Whether it’s in architecture, interior design, urban design, branding, or conceptual programming, their diverse talents converge to create unique and impactful solutions.

Fundamentally, Concrete places people above buildings, recognizing that the essence of design lies in its human connection. They firmly believe that form should follow life, shaping environments that seamlessly integrate with the ways people live and interact. The West, Zoku, Urby, and Moos, their residential projects, serve as tangible evidence of their ‘inside out’ approach.

About Moos
Moos is working towards a world where everyone has a nice home. If it were up to Moos, both the housing shortage and the climate challenge would be solved all at once. The solution is already there and, with their systemic way of building and their focus on value, they create sustainable homes that challenge the status quo. Their homes are different for everyone, but always a safe place where people feel at home, whether building for families, couples, or individuals. Their sustainable ambitions are sky- high. Theirr building system is fully demountable – whether your home is there for 50 or 5 years. Moos believes, when your foundation is right, you stand more firmly in life. Therefore, they give everyone not only a roof over their heads, but a home in the middle of the community. By the way, you don’t create a radically different living system on your own. Moos consists of an independent partner ecosystem of innovative experts. Together, they represent different disciplines with a single goal: to build better for a better life. And the firm belief that it can be done.