Hofje van Pauw, Historic residential community in Delft, Netherlands.
The Hofje van Pauw is a residential complex in Delft made up of eight houses arranged in two rows of four, creating a symmetrical courtyard layout. The buildings display classic Dutch architecture and surround a paved central space that serves as a shared area for residents.
Elisabeth Pauw, daughter of a former Delft mayor, founded this residential complex in 1707 through provisions in her will. The project emerged from charitable giving traditions that developed in the Dutch Golden Age.
The courtyard layout reflects the Dutch tradition of hofjes, specialized residential communities built to house people in need. The arrangement of buildings around the central space shows how these places were designed to encourage daily interaction and mutual support.
The Hofje is located on Paardenmarkt in central Delft and is easy to reach on foot. The central courtyard offers a quiet retreat in the middle of the city, though the complex remains an active residential community.
The courtyard underwent a complete redesign in 2007 following the discovery of soil contamination beneath the site. This renovation transformed the outdoor space while preserving the character of the historic complex.
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