Architecture – 11 projects selected

7 August 2025

general impression

As in previous rounds, we see a variety of project forms and themes in the selection. Notable was a relatively large number of applications involving the development of a film project. There were also some applications for competitions in this round. In addition, there were recurring themes such as the housing challenge and bio-based material research.

some examples from the selection:

Wolfheze’s alternatief – bureau Ira Koers

Bureau Ira Koers is examining 36 care landscapes in the Netherlands that were once in use for psychiatric healthcare. Their dismantling always follows a set script of sale, demolition and chic living in green surroundings. In Wolfheze too, the informal care village is in danger of being lost, and with it the social capital and heritage. Koers is identifying alternatives. In a tradition of 115 years of idealistic and experimental development in Wolfheze, she explores what this site could mean for mental healthcare now and in the future. Her shadow plan is a response to the ‘dismantling script’, in the form of an atlas with ‘soft’ maps, stories and concrete spatial proposals for the existing hospital grounds. By collaborating with experts and stakeholders, Koers expects to achieve anchoring on the site and connection with the healthcare field, and aims to set an example for ‘sister’ institutions.

Komen en gaan – Marit Geluk filmmaker

Komen en gaan (Coming and going) is a film by filmmaker Marit Geluk about two generations of architects in a changing world. The renovation of the Netherlands Court of Audit in The Hague serves as a case study here. This colourful design by Aldo and Hannie van Eyck functions like an Italian village behind the stately façade on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague. How are Happel Cornelisse Verhoeven Architecten dealing with this assignment?

13th edition Eo Wijers Competition – Eo Wijers Foundation

The Eo Wijers Foundation is organising the Eo Wijers competition for the 13th time with a regional design task. Design teams are being challenged to develop a vision for a region on the theme of ‘Invigorating Vistas, regional designing for health and happiness’. Besides hereditary factors, socio-economic conditions, personal lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to healthy living. The question for the design teams, in dialogue with regional stakeholders, is to come up with spatial solutions that contribute to a healthy and happy region. The ambition is to eliminate health inequalities and disparities in the region in three generations and to ensure that air, soil and water are clean.
A winning entry will be chosen in each region after the summer of 2026, with one national winner ultimately being chosen in October 2026.

View the entire selection in the awarded grants archive.

numbers

Two phases were used in the intake of this grant scheme. In the first phase, 50 summary applications were submitted. That is exactly the predetermined maximum number of 50 applications that were invited to supplement their application in phase two with a detailed project plan, budget, schedule and communication plan. Had there been more than 50 summary applications submitted in this first phase, the ‘first come, first served’ principle would have taken effect.

After a check on the formal criteria and completeness, 37 applications were assessed by the advisory committee. The budget available for this round was € 385,249. As the total amount applied for by the positively assessed applications exceeded the available budget, prioritisation was carried out. Of the 20 positively assessed projects, 11 will receive grants.

follow-up

The next grant period, the third and final round of 2025, will be open from 20 August at 15:00 CEST, until 28 August 2025 at 16:00 CEST. Would you like to submit an application in this round? Take a look at the subsidy page of the grant scheme to prepare effectively.

Banner: What a waste – WD40 Residency (Photo: Lars Duchateau)