Housing is still the main area of work for Dutch architects and it is one where a significant proportion of new architectural developments occurs. More than fifty projects were selected out of the substantial volume of housing built since the early nineties for detailed documentation in this book. Together with pictorial references to some fifty further projects, they give a good idea of the varied nature of Dutch housing - a variety that relates not only to differences in appearance but also to different approaches to the assignment.
The introductory essay by Hans Ibelings examines the current housing construction in the Netherlands, and Arjen Oosterman describes several distinct present-day typologies such as tower blocks, drive-in houses and patio dwellings. The project documentation in the book presents a wide range of subdivisions, access strategies, floor plans and detailing examples. Each project has a short description by Oosterman and is illustrated with numerous photographs and drawings. The documentation covers housing developments of different types and sizes, including new housing estates, neighbourhood rehabilitation schemes and major urban renewal projects.
The selected works provide a good overview of the current state of affairs and a quality standard for the calibre of Dutch housing construction. Seen in this light they are both example and exemplary.