Maaike Waaldijk

Heritage & Architecture, New Heritage

Usage of characteristic Post 65 aesthetic and spatial elements in Post 65 suburban housing renovation and densification design

SubUrban Renewal: A Future for Post 65 Aesthetic and Spatial Identity in Suburban Housing Renovation and Densification

Buildings and complexes from the period 1965-1990 now require renovation, adaptation and preservation in light of urgent housing issues, i.e. the housing shortage and the energy performance and energy transition of existing housing stock. It is therefore important that the significance of this Post 65 heritage is recognised and that we treat it with care. In an aesthetic sense, Post 65 suburban housing has a very negative reputation. The Post 65 aesthetic and spatial identity stand a good chance of being underexposed in the renovation practice because of the lack of public appreciation and the still developing body of knowledge about this architecture. Through the development of know-how for contextualist design that uses Post 65 aesthetic and spatial vocabulary in renovation and densification design, this project creates guidance for future-proof Post 65 neighbourhood renovations with a lower probability of compromised heritage values.