This project looks at ways of inserting a length of motorway in an urban environment, modes of dwelling, and how to make a virtue of necessity. I used the inspiration I found in the massive spread of Los Angeles and the extreme compactness in Shanghai. I unfurled five typologies along the A20 motorway, one of which, Kaas ('cheese') I worked out in greater detail.

Kaas is a 700-metre-long dynamic housing complex in the north of the city near Rotterdam Noord railway station and Correct electronics megastore. A six-lane motorway and a railway line cut their way through Kaas. This leaves three parallel volumes with different dwelling types. Included in the infrastructure are existing amenities such as a musical instrument wholesaler, a car wash bay, the car dealers Eef & Huub, a rowing club and a DIY building centre. New use forms include a supermarket, a child day care centre, neighbourhood shops, a doctor's surgery and a snack bar.

Out of the 700-metre-long complex I took a 120-metre slice and fleshed it out.

The southern part on the side to the city centre, which I've called '40+', is 40 metres deep and sits between the A20 and the adjacent canal (Noorderkanaal). The central section, 'Mezcal', is 8 metres deep and is sandwiched between the railway line and the A20. The northern, residential portion, whose name translates as 'stairless adjustable dwelling', is 24 metres deep and stands on Ceintuurbaan, a road of light industries between the city and the track.

Extending a number of sight lines from the city, I bored holes in the building so that it resembles a Maasdam cheese. The 'eyes' of the cheese are the entrances to the complex. The whole is a new public domain along the motorway. The 'eyes' also serve to absorb the roar of the motorway traffic.

Parts of the facade along the motorway and railway lines have a static charge enabling them to collect dirt and dust. This deposit can then do duty as solar protection or as a curtain. The facade is cleaned automatically every 24 hours.

Place of education: AvB Rotterdam
Specialization: architectuur
Tutors: Floris le Conge Kleyn, Michelle Provoost & Peter Trummer