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Duinstruweel
About Duinstruweel
3 residential pavilions in harmony with the serene dune landscape.
Duinstruweel rises amidst the rolling dunes of Castricum. The three residential pavilions, located near the train station and one of the largest nature reserves in the country, contain 86 homes, 25 of which are affordable housing. The project combines nature, recreation, and living, with a commitment to sustainability and cultural heritage.
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The ‘Noordhollands Duinreservaat’ is one of the largest nature reserves in the country.
Here you’ll find dunes, beaches, forested areas with varied terrain, and several smaller nature reserves. It’s the perfect spot for a beautiful walk—but also a great place to live. This is where G&S& is building Duinstruweel: a new development in the Zanderij-Zuid area of Castricum. Not only are the impressive dunes nearby, but so is the center of Castricum, meaning all amenities are within walking and biking distance. This project combines the best of both worlds and also alleviates pressure on the region’s housing market on top of that: G&S& and the municipality of Castricum are rightly very proud of it and delighted with the outcome.
Parking garage as a dune
The environmental plan covers the site south of the NS train station, bordered by Beverwijksestraatweg and the railroad tracks
Under the environmental plan, the area’s current zoning has been changed to residential. Three apartment buildings will be constructed here, each ranging from 4 to 5 stories. In total, this amounts to 86 units: one block will contain 25 affordable and 4 mid-range rental units, while the other two will feature 57 private-sector for-sale apartments in a wide range of sizes. In addition to the apartments, 121 parking spaces will be created, some of which will be underground and integrated into the landscape. The parking garage is partially concealed by “draping” the landscape over it, so to speak, making it appear as if it were a natural dune—with the three apartment buildings nestled in between.
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Natural-looking materials
To ensure the buildings harmonize with the natural surroundings, a combination of natural-looking materials was chosen for the facade finish. Each home also features a spacious outdoor area: the ground-floor and first-floor units connect to the landscape via a terrace, while other apartments have balconies whose size increases with the size of the apartments. The view from the outdoor spaces is fabulous: on one side, the vast oak forests, some as old as 150 years, with the dunes behind them, and on the other, the center of Castricum.
Preserving and enhancing biodiversity
In collaboration with a landscape architect, G&S& is doing everything in its power to preserve and enhance the existing biodiversity in the area. After all, it is home to a unique combination of forests, dunes, and sand flats, which are rich in flora and fauna. The area surrounding Duinstruweel will be planted with species that also grow in the dunes, allowing the three residential pavilions to blend even more seamlessly into the landscape.
At the same time, thanks to the nearby NS train station, a city like Amsterdam is just 30 minutes away—making Duinstruweel the ideal blend of tranquility and activity, and appealing to a broad range of residents: from first-time buyers to seniors.
Let’s collaborate
for better.
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Ed de Weijer
Project Director)