Hof 36

Overview

Opportunity

Solution

Impact

Team

Hof 36 reimagines Leiden’s historic hofje tradition as a contemporary residential community, bringing together affordable homes, nature and social connection.

Location

Leiden, Netherlands

Client

Zinc Real Estate

Expertise

Residential [FPO] Architecture

Opportunity

Leiden needed more diverse and affordable housing without sacrificing quality, community or connection to nature. Hof 36 offered an opportunity to rethink residential living.

Located near Leiden’s university campus, Hof 36 was conceived within a wider residential masterplan responding to growing demand from graduates, young families and the wider community. The client wanted to create a distinctive residential offer that could deliver greater affordability and diversity while remaining commercially viable. The challenge was to accommodate more homes than originally anticipated, while creating a strong sense of community and responding sensitively to the character of Leiden. The project also needed to demonstrate how efficient construction could support affordability without compromising quality or architectural identity.

Why This Matters

01
More Homes, Greater Choice
Hof 36 needed to provide diverse, affordable homes for a growing community, creating a high-quality residential environment that supported different household types and ways of living.
02
Affordability Without Compromise
With 27% of homes designated as social housing, affordability was central to the brief. Efficient planning and construction needed to reduce costs without diminishing residents’ experience.
03
Community By Design
Beyond providing homes, Hof 36 needed to create a genuine community, using shared gardens, amenities and connections to nature to support wellbeing and social interaction.

FPO Quote

Solution

Gensler reinterpreted Leiden’s historic hofje as a contemporary model for community living, placing a shared garden at the heart of everyday life.

The central landscaped garden became the organising principle for Hof 36, creating a shared space that connects residents with nature and one another. Homes are arranged across six buildings, with greenery extending vertically through private balconies, roof gardens and planted terraces. The architecture draws on local references, from brick facades and vertical frames to a tower inspired by Leiden’s industrial drawbridges. A modular construction strategy supported affordability, using thirteen residential typologies and eleven facade modules to create architectural variety while reducing waste, construction time and cost.

From brief to build: how Gensler transformed a former allotment site into a nature-led residential community through collaborative design and modular innovation.

The design evolved through close collaboration between Gensler, the client and modular construction partners, testing how efficiency could coexist with architectural variety. Building information modelling and proprietary planning tools helped optimise apartment layouts, while collaboration with the local architect and Dutch prefabricator informed a system of thirteen residential typologies and eleven facade modules. The team also worked with the client to develop the biophilic concept beyond the original brief, using the existing allotment character as a starting point for the central garden and extending greenery throughout the development.

Inspired by Leiden’s Drawbridges

Drawing inspiration from Leiden’s drawbridges, the tower uses industrial steel detailing to create a distinctive vertical landmark.

Impact

Hof 36 delivers a distinctive model for urban living, combining affordable homes, shared amenities and abundant greenery to create a connected residential community.

Completed in 2024, the development provides 444 homes, including 27% social housing, alongside spaces designed to support wellbeing and connection.

What Changed Because of This

01
Housing Choice
A diverse mix of homes, including 27% social housing, expands access to high-quality housing for different households and life stages.
02
Connected Community
Shared gardens, co-working spaces and wellbeing amenities create opportunities for residents to connect, relax and build a stronger sense of community.
03
Greener Living
Green roofs, planted terraces, photovoltaic panels and air-source heat pumps support a fully electric development designed for lower-impact urban living.

Rooted in Leiden's heritage, Hof 36 creates a sustainable residential community where affordable homes, shared gardens and nature encourage connection and everyday wellbeing.

Recognition

01

NA

02

NA

03

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Team

Project Leadership

Lukasz Platkowski

As Managing Director of Gensler Germany, Lukasz provides leadership and strategic direction for the growth of the firm's business across Germany and Central Europe. He has led multidisciplinary projects for a range of clients, with a focus on resilience, enhancing human experiences, and creating long-term value.

[FPO] Astrid Hugo

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[FPO] Dijana Dejanovic

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FAQ

01

Where is Hof 36 located?

Hof 36 is located on Lammenschansweg in Leiden, Netherlands, within a larger residential masterplan near the city’s university campus.

02

How does Hof 36 respond to Leiden’s architectural heritage?

The design reinterprets Leiden’s historic hofje typology, arranging homes around a shared garden while drawing on local brick architecture and the city’s industrial drawbridges.

03

How many homes does Hof 36 provide?

The development provides 444 homes, including a mix of studios and one- to four-bedroom apartments, with 27% designated as social housing.

04

How does Hof 36 support community and wellbeing?

A central landscaped garden, shared amenities, co-working space and a health and wellbeing club create opportunities for connection, relaxation and everyday interaction.

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Related Expertise

Residential Architecture

Hof 36 reimagines Leiden’s historic hofje tradition as a contemporary residential community, bringing together affordable homes, nature and social connection.

Leiden needed more diverse and affordable housing without sacrificing quality, community or connection to nature. Hof 36 offered an opportunity to rethink residential living.

Why This Matters

Gensler reinterpreted Leiden’s historic hofje as a contemporary model for community living, placing a shared garden at the heart of everyday life.

From brief to build: how Gensler transformed a former allotment site into a nature-led residential community through collaborative design and modular innovation.

Hof 36 delivers a distinctive model for urban living, combining affordable homes, shared amenities and abundant greenery to create a connected residential community.

What Changed Because of This

Recognition

NA

NA

NA