ORKZ Living Community Thrives 45 Years on from Legalization

This year, the Oude Rooms-Katholieke Ziekenhuis (ORKZ), once the biggest squat in The Netherlands and now a legal living community, is celebrating the 45th anniversary of its legalization. 

Due to the current housing crisis, finding a reasonably-priced place to live is a massive problem for people moving into Groningen. The difficulty of finding traditional accommodation makes alternative housing arrangements, such as squats, an attractive proposition to Groningen residents. 

"It is really important that you understand your intention in living here and what you could bring to the community."

Despite its affordability, ORKZ is not intended to be cheap housing for students. As ORKZ is considered an independent community, residents are asked to work for the communal good by maintaining the building or working in the on-site restaurant, bar, café, theatre or cinema. 

"It is really important that you understand your intention in living here and what you could bring to the community.  If you just want a place with a cheap rent then what are you going to bring to the community?" Chiara Tammaro, a freelance artist from the UK who has lived in ORKZ for seven years, tells The Glass Room. "This also puts you into the position of problem-solving. Trying to figure out all together how to do maintain the community in the most economical and cheaper way is necessary to live here." she continues. 

A Historical Landmark

ORKZ was once the Roman Catholic Hospital located on Emmastraat in the city of Groningen. In 1979, due to the opening of a new RKZ building, the old structure was meant to be demolished in order to build new luxury apartments. After several months lying empty, a group of around a hundred squatters succeeded in taking possession of the old hospital. That it is how ORKZ became a reality. 

After a few years of occupation, in 1985 the Dutch government approved a self-governing-experiment for a duration of 5 years which soon became permanent.

Community 

Living at ORKZ today means being part of a community of 238 people. Students, families, internationals, and people who have lived there since it was a squat. "Sometimes socializing feels to me as a job because you have to put so much effort in it. Here it is different: friendships are so easy and natural, and in this way, I can focus more on my job", says Chiara.

According to her, getting a room at ORKZ is quite difficult and it is necessary to show constant interest in the community by calling the office every month after the application:

"The best way to get a room here is to start volunteering in the community before getting a room so that people can start getting to know who you are." 

ORKZ is also always open to non-residents, offering a bar, café, restaurant, cinema, artists' studios, workshops, practice rooms, and many public events. That way, everyone currently in Groningen can experience the community life of ORKZ.