The housing shortage has been a persistent problem in the Netherlands for several years now. Young people can't find affordable starter homes, families wait years for a larger house, and the elderly are often forced to stay in overly large homes for too long because there are no suitable alternatives available. At the same time, large areas are vacant: shopping malls with declining footfall, old office buildings that have lost their function, cinemas that are closing , and community centers that are no longer profitable. This vacancy not only poses a problem for the livability of a neighborhood, but it also presents an opportunity. What if we cleverly utilized all those vacant square meters to create housing?
Repurposing as an opportunity
Rather than building exclusively on new land, there's enormous opportunity in repurposing . Many existing buildings already have a solid structure, are easily accessible, and have amenities such as electricity, plumbing, and ventilation. By converting them, we can add additional housing relatively quickly.
Repurposing also offers important advantages:
- Sustainability: by preserving buildings, we save materials and limit CO₂ emissions.
- Cost savings: renovating is often cheaper than building from scratch.
- Livability: vacant buildings are given a new function, making neighborhoods vibrant again.
The challenges in practice
Yet it's easier said than done. Anyone who wants to convert a shopping center, office, or cinema into homes often encounters obstacles.
- Less daylight: For example, if you look at retail spaces, they are often deep and only have windows or a display window at the front. As a result, daylight doesn't reach every part of the building.
- Construction and height: not every building has the right ceiling height or structure to easily convert it into housing.
- Regulations and zoning plans: often, a building's designated use isn't easily changed. Obtaining the necessary permits takes time and money.
- Outdoor space and amenities: residents need a pleasant environment, greenery, and space to play. This requires a broader redesign of the surrounding area, not just the building itself.
These challenges make it clear that repurposing is not a simple solution. It requires creativity, investment, and close collaboration between municipalities, architects, developers, and residents.
Example: Grand Duchess in The Hague
But it's not impossible. A successful transformation is the former office building on Laan van Meerdervoort in The Hague, now known as Groot Hertogin. The building has been converted into 85 modern apartments.
The strength of this project lies in its proximity to amenities and the clever redesign of the existing structure. By investing in sustainability, natural light, and a flexible layout, a vacant office building was transformed into an attractive residential space.
This example demonstrates that transformation is possible, but also that there are challenges: high sustainability costs, strict regulations, and technical limitations. Nevertheless, Groot Hertogin proves that vacant space can be successfully utilized to alleviate the housing shortage.
System walls: quickly create homes with a flexible layout
One of the most practical tools for transformation projects is system walls: movable, lightweight interior partitions that can be quickly installed and removed. They offer the flexibility needed to make buildings suitable for habitation, despite the challenges mentioned.
With partition walls , a vacant shopping center can easily be divided into multiple apartments. An old office building with open floors can quickly be transformed into a complex with studios and small apartments. And because partition walls aren't permanent, the layout can be reconfigured in the future as housing needs change.
Advantages of system walls
The use of system walls offers several advantages:
- Speed : They are prefabricated and easy to assemble, making homes available more quickly.
- Cost advantage : Installation requires less labor and materials than traditional walls.
- Sustainability : Many system walls are reusable and circular.
- Flexibility : Layouts can be adapted again and again, for example from studios to family homes.
- Living comfort : Modern system walls meet high requirements for insulation and acoustics.
From problem to opportunity
The housing shortage calls for creative solutions. While repurposing can be challenging due to regulations, technical limitations, and stringent requirements for light and livability, it also offers enormous opportunities. While vacancy often leads to deterioration, with the right approach, it can lead to vibrant residential areas.
System walls play a key role in this. They enable the creation of flexible, comfortable homes within existing buildings, without the need for major demolition or construction work.
Future-proof construction and renovation
It's important that repurposing isn't just seen as a temporary solution. With modular walls, the layout of a building can be continually adjusted. While there's a need for many small studios today, in ten years there might be more demand for family homes. With fixed walls, that would mean an expensive renovation; with modular walls, it's much simpler.
This means that system walls also align with the trend of flexible living: temporary or semi-permanent housing for students, first-time buyers, or migrant workers. Because the walls are movable, buildings can be repurposed in the future without significant waste.
About System Flex
For over 30 years, System Flex has been developing flexible wall systems that allow you to quickly and stylishly create functional spaces. Whether for offices, schools, or healthcare facilities, our solutions make every space flexible, comfortable, and future-proof.
Want to know more? Feel free to contact us for inspiration and advice .