Flexible housing that doesn’t look like… flexible housing!

The number of temporary or flexible homes is on the rise. Last year, nearly 6,200 permits were issued for temporary housing, according to calculations by the CBS (Statistics Netherlands). Just for comparison: that’s an increase of 47% compared to 2023. Flexible homes can be built more quickly than traditional new constructions, helping to address the nationwide housing shortage. In Utrecht, 290 units have now been installed on the Befu site in Hoograven. SAB-profiel produced and supplied the design profiles, while Metal Bouwkonsort took care of the installation.

The first thing you notice about the three residential buildings is that they don’t resemble boxy temporary housing. “No, this looks more like permanent construction than temporary,” says Ton Versluis, responsible for procurement and estimating at Metal Bouwkonsort in Lopik. A renowned architectural firm, RoosRos Architecten, was even involved in the design. Because the A12 highway might be widened, the municipality of Utrecht cannot yet make plans for permanent buildings. The housing consists of studios, two- and three-room apartments for home seekers, people from social shelters, and status holders (refugees with residence permits).

Creating a playful effect

The structural shell was supplied by Daiwa House Modular Europe. But it’s mainly the beautiful design profiles that make the project look like “the real deal.” Ton: “We’ve been involved from the very beginning. Initially, the façade design was different. In consultation with SAB-profiel, we decided on steel omega profiles with vertically mounted façade panels, type SAB-Merlon 30/415-100. This creates a very playful effect.” The profiles feature a Colorcoat Prisma® coating in the color Ephyra.