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Realization of an Ecological Neighbourhood in Arnhem

Net-Zero Energy Homes in Nieuw Monnikenhuizen

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Realization of an Ecological Neighbourhood in Arnhem

Completing net-zero energy homes marks the final chapter of the ecological neighbourhood Nieuw Monnikenhuizen. Six spacious and colourful homes have risen on a slope along Rosendaalseweg in Arnhem. The design is inspired by the undulating terrain of this part of Gelderland’s capital. The sun dictated the roof shapes.

Final Piece of an Ecological Neighborhood


After the municipality of Arnhem designated the last undeveloped part of the neighbourhood1 for private housing development, CPO2 Rosendaalseweg and SchilderScholte Architecture+ joined forces in the summer of 2014 to create these net-zero energy homes at this remarkable location. Once a gas station stood here, building energy-neutral houses on this spot sends a clear and strong message of sustainability.

  1. 1. Once, this was sacred ground for supporters of Vitesse, as the football club called this location home between 1950 and 1997. ↩︎
  2. 2. CPO stands for Collectief Particulier Opdrachtgeverschap – a model that allows future residents to have greater influence over the development of their own homes. ↩︎

The layout was carefully designed to respect the adjacent neighbourhood and their views of the nearby Angerenstein Park. The spacing between the homes directly reflects this consideration. Additionally, the colours, materials, and proportions of the homes harmonize with the surrounding environment.

Plattegrond van de woningen gemaakt in LayOut
Floor Plans Created in LayOut

To the eastern side of the project stands a brick-built church, considered a top national monument of the post-war reconstruction period. The design of the homes echoes this heritage with a main and secondary volume and the use of brick.

Visible Personal Choices

The distinct facade colour of each home is no coincidence—it reflects the personal preferences of the residents. During the design process, these choices were carefully aligned with municipal guidelines on colour and materials. Recommendations from consultations with the Aesthetic Committee ultimately harmonized the six individual designs into a cohesive visual balance.

SketchUp weergave van de straatzijde van de taludwoningen
SketchUp Rendering of the Street View of the Slope Homes

A major advantage of the project was the municipality’s guidance on property boundaries and storage units. This clarity allowed early alignment with residents. The consistent heights, uniform material use, and detailed finishing of these features create a polished overall look.

As Many Wishes as There Are People

SchilderScholte Architecture+ navigated diverse interests during the design process, balancing input from the group of CPO members and municipal agencies. To facilitate consensus, a 3D model was created in SketchUp early in the process.

Dwarsdoorsnede van één van de taludwoningen
Cross-Section of One of the Slope Homes

This model enabled individual evaluation of each home’s interior and exterior design. It also helped convince the Aesthetic Committee of the visual impact, sightlines, and sunlight exposure within the project’s context.

Living-Apart-Together

As the project was developed by a CPO, residents wanted the architecture to reflect both collective and private aspects. On the neighbourhood side, the ground floors are connected by a continuous anthracite-coloured facade. From Rosendaalseweg, however, the homes appear as semi-detached structures perched atop the slope.

Aanzicht van de gerealiseerde woningen vanaf de Rosendaalseweg
View of the Completed Homes from Rosendaalseweg

The main volume street facades are built at a slight angle, giving each home a unique view of the park. With the living areas elevated above street level, residents enjoy unobstructed views over the traffic. A private parking lot and access road on the northeast side of the project provide a collective parking solution.

Net-Zero Energy

The roofs of the main volumes house the solar panels required for these net-zero energy homes, with an optimal angle for this latitude. This feature was a driving factor in the design process. Project architect Gerrit Schilder Jr. explains, “Our goal was to integrate the solar panels seamlessly into the architecture. By using 3D modelling early on to analyze orientation, optimal tilt, and required quantity, we determined the roof shapes and composition, ensuring the panels remain invisible from Rosendaalseweg.”

Interior of One of the Homes on Rosendaalseweg

Completion 2020-2021
Client CPO Rosendaalseweg
Photographer Paul van der Blom


This blog was previously published in the Dutch SketchUp Magazine in 2023. The content may have been adapted for this online version.

Text: Gerrit Schilder jr.   |  Visuals: SchilderScholte Architecture+   |  Photos: Paul van der Blom

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