New-style care complex

A diverse housing mix, high-quality gathering spaces, and a good level of amenities form the foundation of the vision for the redevelopment of the Zuiderheide residential care center in Hilversum. Commissioned by Dudok Wonen, Moke Architects created the urban design. HOSPER designed the public space and the public green parking deck.

Space for social interaction

The site of Nieuw Zuid in Hilversum Zuid was once home to Zuiderheide: a large retirement home with several assisted-living apartment complexes, owned by Dudok Wonen. The grounds were designed to be functional and inward-looking: only residents and staff used them. The buildings were outdated and no longer met the demands of the times. The ambition was to transform the enclosed site into an open, mixed-use, and future-proof neighborhood, accessible to young and old alike and meaningful to the surrounding community. The nursing home was demolished, and five new apartment buildings were constructed in its place. The buildings are arranged in a clear urban grid, in keeping with the neighborhood’s postwar structure. At the same time, each building has its own identity. Subtle variations in height ensure a smooth integration at the edges of the plan.

Fostering interaction among residents was a key objective. The new public space in Nieuw Zuid has an open character and a pleasant sense of accessibility. The development includes social amenities for the entire neighborhood—such as a restaurant, a general practitioner’s office, and a daycare center—that ensure continuous and dynamic use.

Green Design

The most important element of the design is the public green deck, which is situated between and around the new buildings. Parking is located beneath it, and the deck itself serves as the new public space, connecting all the buildings, providing a thoroughfare for local residents, and offering areas for socializing, playing, relaxing, and enjoying nature.

The homes on the deck level feature private terraces set behind planting beds. The deck is dotted with trees in cheerful green spaces inspired by the surrounding landscape. Public paths and plazas wind through the area. Throughout the plan, the same materials, plants, and trees are used as much as possible so that the neighborhood forms a cohesive whole. With changes in elevation, slopes, and winding paths, an informal, natural, and inviting living environment has been created.

Location: Hilversum
Landscape Architect: HOSPER landschapsarchitectuur
Urban Design: Moke architecten
Architects: Zecc architecten, EGM architecten, Bybali, Inbo, Monadnock
Contractor: Hegeman
Client: Dudok wonen
Size: 1.5 ha.
Year of design: 2013–2025
Year of implementation: 2017–2025
Status: Completed
Photography: Patrick Coerse
Awards: Hilversum Architecture Prize 2025 (Volante building)

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