The Western Garden Cities of Amsterdam, like many postwar neighbourhoods in the Netherlands, is characterised by an abundance of public space. The need to accommodate an ever-increasing urban population threatens the mixture of ‘light, air and space’ that urbanists such as Cornelis van Eesteren, after whose design the Western Garden Cities is built, sought to achieve. As part of a major restructuring project a block of 100 apartments for people over 55 years was proposed to mark the end of a facility strip for the elderly. However, if adequate sunlight was to be maintained in surrounding buildings only 87 of the 100 units could be realized within the main slab. Where could the remaining 13 units be positioned?

The Spartan gallery flat became (financially) viable. Each gallery was given a different perspective. Alternating window positions, balcony sizes and materials, give each apartment its own character.  To insulate against sound, party walls were constructed 8 cm thicker than structurally necessary. This had the additional benefit of accommodating the connection of the cantilever trusses without having to increase the weight of the load-bearing walls.  Smart, cost-saving design solutions such as this contributed to the project, then being, the social housing project realized with the lowest building costs in Amsterdam. WoZoCo continues to be a favorite amongst architectural enthusiasts who travel to the Western Garden Cities to see the ‘hanging houses of Amsterdam’.