The metric control, functional efficiency and rationality of the urban order of the poblado dirigido of Entrev & iacute;as (O & iacute;za, Sierra and de Alvear, 1956-59) show a skill that is neither improvised nor instinctive, but is rather based on previous experience -both the architects' own and others'. As a "manifesto of the minimum", Entrev & iacute;as is a key witness to the influence of the Existenzminimum on Spanish architecture; a concept that was explored in the years before the Civil War and that acquired a renewed meaning in the 1950s. With this as a starting point, the paper proposes to connect Francisco J. S & aacute;enz de O & iacute;za's experience on the challenge of the minimum with that of the Dutch architect J.J. Pieter Oud, author of the iconic working-class neighbourhood of Kiefhoek. The interest of this parallel analysis lies in delving into a relationship that has been mentioned many times before but has never been studied in depth. It is therefore a matter of drawing lines of continuity and rupture between two comparable architectural challenges, despite the obvious differences between their historical and cultural contexts. Ultimately, the aim is to identify the singular contribution of Oud and O & iacute;za to the specific, cumulative and systematic knowledge body of research produced by Modern architecture in the field of social housing.