To reduce the housing shortage, more is needed than just new construction. With this national design competition, we ask architects, designers, makers, students, and other creatives to show how existing homes can be cleverly split, topped, or transformed.
Published on: October 14, 2025

The housing crisis is severe. More than 100,000 additional homes are needed in Gelderland. However, new construction is very complicated. Due to limited space, nitrogen regulations, availability of electricity, and accessibility, too few new homes are being built. 

National Design Competition 

The design competition Utilize the Over Space! seeks solutions closer to home: in the houses that already exist. With this design competition, we invite architects, designers, makers, and students to think along with us. This way, extra front doors can quickly arise: affordable, sustainable, and social. 

Join and have a chance to win a cash prize! 

Take a look, get inspired, or participate yourself via www.benutdeoverruimte.nl.  

Building together for housing in the Netherlands 

This initiative from Holland Houtland is made possible by us and the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, Flevoland, and North Brabant.