On the edge of the historic Nimmerdor forest in Amersfoort lies Common Woods, a circular, nature-inclusive neighbourhood of 56 homes, including detached villas, townhouses, and apartments across social, mid-range, and private sectors. At the heart of the plan lies a new logic of parcelation: not based on a rigid grid, but on cluster. Invisible plot boundaries allow the forest to flow into the plan, forming ‘boskamers’; intimate forest rooms around buildings. A central square, paired with a communal greenhouse, serves as a social anchor, fostering community life. By breaking down volumes, Common Woods integrates compact villas and apartment blocks into the surrounding urban fabric, creating a sensitive transition between forest and adjacent neighbourhoods.
Year
2025
Size
10.850
Programme
Circular residential neighbourhood
Location
Amersfoort
Status
Completed 2024
Credits
Photography by Riccardo de Vecchi
Built largely in CLT, the biobased wooden homes reduce the environmental footprint while offering a warm, tactile living experience. The project includes habitable façades, nesting elements, and native plantings to support local wildlife.
The CLT (cross-laminated timber) construction of the houses
