The Zwaluw Park housing project in Arnhem-Noord centres on the natural surroundings. The complex is located in a hilly area between Zwaluw Street and a thoroughfare, opposite the green Klarendal Park. Zwaluw Park comprises two residential blocks, both organised around a spacious, child-friendly courtyard.
The blocks vary in scale. The smaller accommodates 36 row houses while the larger contains 68 apartments. Dwellings vary in size and layout to suit different types of occupants. The raised blocks appear to hover above the ground. Surrounding the buildings, a dynamic landscape with different levels responds to the undulating terrain. In this way, entrances to the blocks are accessed from elevated walkways, and courtyards are slightly sunken.
This heightens the feeling of safety and experience of the green surroundings throughout the complex. A varied aesthetic is achieved by alternating the heights of the blocks, which do not exceed five storeys. Timber and glass are used extensively on the facades, lending the dwellings a modern, light and transparent appearance. Large windows interrupt the horizontal lines of the balconies.
The shared gardens around the blocks are designed mostly as wild gardens that feature low- maintenance grasses, flowering plants and native trees. There are no paths, so children can just play and wander around freely. An underground car park ensures that cars remain mostly out of sight.