Kiefhoek

The Kiefhoek rises in a working class quarter in southern Rotterdam. Oud projected a complete modern neighbourhood, keeping the traditional concept of the street as an exterior room completely delimited, like H.P. Berlage defended. By designing elongated rows of 300 standardized dwellings, Oud elaborated the concept of Existenz-minimum for low-budget public housing. The blocks have an unitary aspect. Most houses were meant for two families and had very compact ground plans without corridors, while along the short side-streets, larger houses were erected for big families. Although Oud had wished to build the estate in concrete, all houses had to be constructed in brick and the foundations were reduced to a minimum, both for economic reasons. The horizontalizing, white-rendered exteriors had plinths in yellow brick and were enlivened by primary colours. Two round-cornered shops, a cubic ornament-less church, a hot-water station, playgrounds and small gardens completed Kiefhoek estate.