The housing market in the Netherlands (and Europe in general) is under immense pressure. Everywhere, we see a growing demand for affordable, sustainable, and quickly realizable housing solutions. Especially in these challenging times, flex homes are emerging as a smart and future-oriented solution. But what exactly are flex homes, and how do they contribute to the much-needed change in the construction sector? At Van den Nagel Modulaire Bouw, we show how modular building forms the foundation for this innovative housing type.
What exactly are flex homes?
A flex home is a fully-fledged residence particularly noteworthy for its speed of placement and flexible usability. We design them for both temporary and permanent use, making them ideal for specific target groups such as:
- Starters: Young people looking to take their first step into the housing market.
- Singles: Seeking compact, yet complete living spaces.
- Students: Addressing the growing demand for affordable student accommodation.
- People in transitional situations: For example, after a divorce, during renovations, or while awaiting a permanent home.
The strength of flex homes lies in their modular nature. This means we largely produce them in a factory, after which we place them on location in a short amount of time. This drastically shortens construction time and minimizes disruption to the surroundings.
Modular building: the goundation of flex homes
Modular building is the innovative construction technique that makes the realization of flex homes possible. We assemble buildings from pre-produced modules that we manufacture under controlled conditions in a factory. This process guarantees consistent, high quality, reduces failure costs, and leads to significantly faster construction times.
For flex homes, modular building offers specific advantages that directly address housing market challenges:
- Rapid Completion: Production in our factory and site preparation can occur simultaneously. This parallel process accelerates the realization of entire housing developments from months to sometimes even weeks.
- Sustainability: We use materials efficiently and minimize waste, contributing to environmental goals. The homes are often energy-efficient and can be equipped with solar panels and heat pumps.
- Flexibility: Home modules are easy to adapt, expand, or even relocate to a different site. This makes them future-proof and adaptable to changing housing needs.
- Cost Savings: Less on-site labor, faster completion, and the reusability of components lead to lower construction and operational costs, contributing to the affordability of flex homes.
Average lower nitrogen emissions: 55%
Average lower CO² emissions: 50%
Oude Pekela: a prime example of flex living
An excellent example of the power of flex homes in combination with modular building is the project in Oude Pekela. Here, on behalf of the Municipality of Pekela, we are realizing no fewer than 70 flex homes for starters and those moving into new homes.
Construction starts in the fourth quarter of 2024 and runs until the first quarter of 2025. Because we pre-produce the homes in a specialized factory, on-site construction time is significantly shortened. This results in minimal disruption to the surroundings and a construction process that is barely affected by weather conditions. The variation in size and layout ensures the homes perfectly match the needs of various residents, from compact starter homes to flexible transitional housing. Moreover, the homes meet high sustainability requirements, partly due to the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient installations.
Why choose modular flex homes?
Discover the possibilities of flex homes for your project
Are you interested in the benefits and possibilities of flex homes for your municipality, organization, or project? At Van den Nagel Modulaire Bouw, we are happy to help you explore how this innovative housing solution can contribute to your goals. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.
