Review of "Urban Oases Dutch Hofes as Hidden Architectural Gems" by Willemijn Wilms Floet

Abstract

A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard surrounded by small houses1 that have existed since the Middle Ages. For six centuries, Dutch hofjes have captivated the imagination; their unique architecture keeps these mod- est, hidden urban oasis relevant. In response to shifting societal needs, architects have innovated the fourteenth- century archetype in every time. Residents and guests are constantly treated to a unique urban intimacy in a com- munal setting. After all, the interior courtyards of urban blocks have given rise to distinct styles of architecture and housing all across the world, which often date back centuries.