Hillekop is situated on a striking location in the Afrikaander district close to Kop van Zuid and along a major road that leads to the centre of Rotterdam. The area is surrounded by harbours and is structurally determined by the cargo railway and metro network.
The masterplan demanded the design to be outstanding. The project consists of a composition of four buildings with each responding to the surroundings in their own way. An eighteen storey fan-shaped tower is the eye-catcher for the neighbourhood and a landmark for the southern harbour area. An elongated S-shaped living block responds to the metro track and creates a public square on each side.
Two ‘superblock’ with housing units complete the development. The positioning of the buildings means that the spatial unity of the triangular residential area is retained, and that the unity is emphasised by the attention given to the design of the public space.
The quality and size of the apartments are above the standard for social housing. Costs were kept low by diminishing the facade surface and the circulation lay-out. Regardless, the apartments still have access to spacious well-let hallways. The project shows that it is possible to make quality housing and spacious, interesting public areas within a restricted budget.