The centrally planned developments of the Netherlands have lead in the 1990s to the construction of a giant compromise: millions of suburban houses are under construction, combining a low rise house with a relatively dense setting.

It leads to environments that are neither urban or rural or even suburban, but rather to houses with very small gardens and claustrophobic environments. How can we escape from this claustrophobia while working within the difficult constraints of the site? 

A diversity of development approaches spreads risk. This resulted in a choice of as many different living environments as possible on each group of islands: patio houses, garden houses, houses around a court, apartments and reed houses. The difference in character is maximised by different choices of green facilities, different ecological measures, different lighting, different pavement and different materials for the houses of each island.

The size, 900 houses in total, enables experimentation. Is it true that 10 percent of a project's budget can be dedicated to experimentation? According to the principles of economics, experimentation can happen as long as the remaining homes carry less risk. By saving costs on one island, by making islands with fewer quays, with less infrastructure, and fewer details, MVRDV allowed investment in another island that allowed for new experimental environments.

Different architects have worked within the masterplan to further maximise its architectural diversity.