Royal Institute of Dutch Architects BNA, Shelter home Veilige Veste, 2012. Architect: KAW. Courtesy: KAW. Photo: Gerard van BeekRoyal Institute of Dutch Architects BNA, Shelter home Veilige Veste, 2012. Architect: KAW. Courtesy: KAW.

Sense of Belonging
Migration is a recurring theme in European history. It has been a source of civilization development and of economic and cultural growth. Internationally, the Netherlands has acquired a reputation based on its main core value, "tolerance". Today, however, the Netherlands is struggling with the sudden influx of refugees like any other European country. This has led to a debate about values, culture, and tolerance as well as to a lot of political controversy and social unrest. Architects have a part to play in this debate, a contribution to make. What is the challenge? How can we offer legal refugees humane circumstances and opportunities? Enable them, within the bounds of reason, to (temporarily) build a life for themselves (and help Netherlands grow as a nation)?
Refugees with a temporary residence permit have a right to housing in the Netherlands – though many of them have mixed feelings about the concept of 'home'. In the end, a ‘home’ is a physical place, literally a house and a pleasant living environment. In the Netherlands, governments and organizations take care of and pay attention to the initial, temporary accommodation of refugees. But reflection on the second stage – regarding people with refugee status – is lagging behind. This creates additional tension and social unrest. The fear of being (too) tolerant or hospitable also plays a part.
What could architects contribute? ‘Architect’ and ‘house’ belong together. And today, apart from a social problem, we are also faced with a practical housing problem. That is why the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects BNA has launched the campaign Sense of Belonging. Architects are ready to embark on a quest for new, practical solutions to concrete problems. We have offered the authorities our help: to solve concrete problems at a local level. How can we create "permanently temporary" living environments – a house and an environment for a meaningful and happy life? And how can we generate new, flexible solutions or reuse existing buildings? What concrete solutions and innovations for flexible and temporary living are there for either refugees or other target groups in a housing market under pressure? If we can make qualitatively good and sustainable social housing for deprived people, we can also make this for legal refugees. We see opportunities for quality solutions that are genuinely sustainable. That is why we combine the concrete questions of the authorities and housing associations with the creative strength of spatial designers and the needs of refugees. This is a humanitarian initiative that looks at "a sense of place" in the light of "a sense of belonging". To architects, this brings profession, passion, and meaning together.
The enterprise is part of a series of spontaneous initiatives to provide so-called status holders with a decent life. People help them to learn, work, and live with others. It is for their benefit, as well as that of the societies in which large groups of refugees are finding permanent homes. Rather than an opportunity to make money, the Royal BNA perceives this as an urgent social task that requires an architectural contribution. Committed and voluntarily, without remuneration, but not disinterestedly.
In the film about the Sense of Belonging campaign, Dutch architects talk about their reasons for getting involved with refugee housing and about the contribution architecture can make to improve it.