What is a duplex dwelling?
A duplex dwelling is, in general usage, a home that occupies two storeys. In Dutch usage it also refers to a temporarily split single-family house in which two households live in separate parts. Where duplex in English usually means two homes under one roof, the Dutch duplexwoning has its own post-war history.
Two meanings
1. International meaning
A duplex is a residential building with two separate homes under one roof, side by side or stacked. Comparable to a semi-detached or stacked apartment. Used mainly in:
- English-speaking countries — usually two equivalent homes
- Belgium — duplex = a unit spanning two floors within an apartment block
- Real-estate jargon — luxurious maisonette over two storeys
2. Dutch housing meaning
After the Second World War, the Netherlands introduced the duplexwoning to ease the housing shortage: a single-family home was temporarily divided over two floors, with separate entrances, kitchens and sanitary facilities.
- Lower unit — ground floor as an independent dwelling
- Upper unit — first floor and attic as a separate dwelling
- Temporary facilities — extra kitchen, bathroom, sometimes an external staircase
- Recombination — when one household leaves, the home is reunited
Application
The Dutch duplex dwelling was mainly built in:
- Post-war neighbourhoods — quick housing supply
- Social housing — managed by housing associations
- Existing single-family homes — via internal splitting
- Urban renewal projects — as a temporary measure
Pros and cons
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Rapid expansion of the housing stock | Smaller floor area per household |
| Reuse of existing buildings | Limited comfort due to temporary fittings |
| Lower rent per household | Sound transmission between floors |
| Easy to reverse | Duplicated services are costly |
Related terms
- Maisonette
- Storey
- Floor
- Subdivision
- Use function
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