This design concerns the restructuring of an important part of the 1940s-1950s Korrewegwijk district in Groningen, located between a park strip and a traffic intersection. Urban redevelopment called for a complex brief (nursing home, shops, 150 houses, facilities) and for an improvement of the urban structure. On the basis of our design, three closely interconnected building assignments were formulated. We subsequently supervised their elaboration by various architects. For this purpose, the underlying concept was explored in depth by means of architectural metaphors and images. The aim was not to impose style regulations but to the articulate the architectural aspects of the urban design. The project was completed in 1996.
Urban design plan for the restructuring of a 1960s residential district in Middelburg. The design comprises a proposal for the centre of the district. The proposed intervention involves the demolition of two blocks of flats and two schools, to be followed by the construction of a new school complex and an extensive shopping centre linked to a care centre and housing for the elderly. The plan clarifies the district’s spatial structure and its relationship with the adjacent park.
The plan is about restructuring the Pedagogenbuurt neighbourhood in the Zuilen residential area. The neighbourhood is not structured by streets but by a framework of green public strips. The existing trees have been incorporated into this green framework and mark the entrances to the residential park. The counter mould of public green leaves space for eight hybrid perimeter blocks facing in all directions, having closed corners and a continuous building line. All houses have at least one parking space in one of the collective car parks accessed from the edge of the area. The plan was commissioned by the Utrecht Municipality and Johan Matser project development and comprises 300 houses.
The courtyard site layout of the Frankendaal housing estate is a classic example of the post-war modern urban design. The designers (Merkelbach and Karsten) reconciled the openness of the serial way of building with a degree of intimacy provided by the space between the blocks. While the greenery and trees have by now reached full maturity and become the ‘capital’ of the site, the buildings are subject to wear and ageing. Our plan proposes a differentiated renovation process. The main structure of squares and park strips will be strengthened by extending streets and introducing tree-lined avenues. This approach involves three strategies: regeneration through private initiative on the basis of the existing street pattern, restoration of the most intact inner courtyards into a cherished intimate residential environment, and transformation of the most cluttered section into a hybrid building block. This is where existing and new buildings will be grouped around a communal, interior garden that can be closed off.
The urban design scheme for Moerwijk south provides the basis for a comprehensive restructuring of this early post-war district of The Hague.
The neighbourhood, characterised by its serial composition of blocks of flats, will be transformed into two compact enclaves flanking a residential park. This will create very distinct spatial conditions within the neighbourhood, allowing for a great diversity of housing types.
The urban design scheme also includes a design for public space. A system of canals and avenues provides the spatial framework for the two enclaves and links the various parts of the neighbourhood.
In several places public space and building pattern manifestly interact: retaining walls become entrances, bridges become side walls, buildings are reflected in water. These are the details that anchor the design to its surroundings.
The urban design plan for the restructuring of the residential neighbourhood Poptahof in Delft south concerns a 1960s area concealed behind wide parklanes and the logistic machinery of a shopping precinct. The centrally located park forms the heart of the plan. The atmosphere of the park pervades the adjacent residential streets. Opening up the contours of the building fields enables the orientation of the interior courtyards towards the central park. In this way, the semi-public courtyards and the public park become visually interconnected. This spatial theme is an attempt at a contemporary rendering of the neighbourhood’s original scenic quality. High demand for parking space in the area makes densification and double use indispensable. By raising the ground level in the courtyards, a series of semi-public and public spaces is created between front doors and the park.
