Time to Access is an architecture platform founded in 2019 by Andrea Verdecchia and Mira Nekova, both experienced architects in the Dutch architectural sector. Based in Amsterdam, the practice focuses on developing participative forms of housing and social environments. The organisation operates in collaboration with architects, urban planners, and activists, aiming to make affordable housing accessible in urban areas where exclusion is prevalent.
Initiated after their involvement as co-founders and architects of De Nieuwe Meent, a pilot housing cooperative in Amsterdam Oost, Time to Access established itself by advocating a departure from speculative market-driven architecture. De Nieuwe Meent consists of 40 housing units and collective facilities, supporting about 60 residents, with the building completed in 2025. Its design prioritises energy-neutral wooden construction and extensive communal spaces, reflecting the organisation's principles of inclusivity and sustainability.
The practice extends beyond architectural design, engaging in process management, governance consultation, and the financial structuring of cooperative projects. Their methods include extensive participatory workshops that involve future residents in every phase of development. Time to Access continues to advise groups and cooperatives, offering free consultations during initial phases and sharing knowledge about self-managed housing.
Other ongoing or recent projects include CPO Baksteen in Amsterdam’s Centrum Eiland and the development of De Bundel in Nieuw West, with plans for up to 130 apartments. The office directly supports citizen initiatives, reinforcing participatory design and long-term community engagement within the context of Amsterdam’s housing crisis.