Timber Neighborhood Planned Near Amsterdam

Plans have been announced for “The Erven,” a 519-home timber neighborhood about 20 km southwest of Amsterdam, Global Construction Review reported (12-15-25).

The project is organized around four themed courtyards—known as “Erven” in Dutch—drawing inspiration from traditional Dutch farmyards. The design team includes White Arkitekter, SeARCH, Space&Matter, Atlas Architects, and DS Landschapsarchitecten, with development led by Timpaan and Blauwhoed.

“The Erven demonstrates how the neighborhoods of the future can be built with nature as a starting point—in timber, bio-based materials, and with community at its heart,” said Oskar Norelius, lead architect at White Arkitekter.

Buildings will use CLT frames insulated with bio-based materials such as straw and wood fiber, and clad with natural and reused materials including wood, reed, hemp fiber, lime, and recycled aluminum sheeting.

Roofs will feature reed or timber shingles, with many incorporating greenery and solar panels. Foundations will use recycled concrete and gravel, while flexible modular structures are designed to adapt to future uses.

The development is designed to become carbon neutral over time and will include features such as heat and cooling recovery systems, bike parking, parcel delivery areas, and shared electric vehicles.