Imagine stepping into a space that doesn’t just house you but makes you feel truly at home—a place where you belong. In our hectic modern world, where social connections often feel fleeting, architecture has the power to transform mere buildings into vibrant communities. This thesis explores this transformative potential, focusing on the Van Adrichemweg post-war Dutch apartment buildings in Rotterdam’s Kleinpolder district.

At the heart of this study is a redefinition of what it means to be “second.” By embracing the potential of being second, we unlock a reservoir of untapped potential and the bliss of being “good enough”—not the best, nor the worst, but possessing the motivation and hope to strive for more. This perspective highlights the strength in mediocrity.

Student: Eslem Karakoc
Tutor: Maarten Willems, Ady Steketee, Sergio Figueiredo, Ekaterina Petrova