3961 - 's-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant, Netherlands

An unusual name, 's-Hertogenbosch is a contraction of the Dutch des Hertogen bosch (the forest of the duke). The duke was Henry I (1165-1235), Duke of Brabant. 's-Hertogenbosch was given city rights when Henry was 26. Today, 's-Hertogenbosch's people use Den Bosch when talking about their city. 

's-Hertogenbosch is the capital city of North Brabant and is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands by population - 161 000. 

In 1984, artist and sculptor Dries Kreijkamp built the Bolwoningen in the Maaspoort neighbourhood of 's-Hertogenbosch. They are 50 spherical houses grouped together near a canal. The grant was given to build experimental housing. The houses were prefabricated and could be set up in one day. They were also designed to have low energy consumption and east to maintain. 

The houses had three levels - level one is the bedroom, level two is the bathroom, and the third level is the living space. Round windows on level three offered panoramic views of the surroundings. Each house has 55 m2 of floor space. All the houses have been occupied since the community was constructed.