Kids take off their shoes, step into the sand and jump from rock to rock. Beach vibes, picnic scenery, total relaxation. But not only the thematic courtyard gardens create the landscape setting of this new urban quarter. The edges of the tall and compact housing blocks connect the buildings and their courtyards like a green fabric. Patio’s, gardens, entrances and parking garages accesses become one green plinth.
The entire neighbourhood is built on top of parking garage. The urban plan is based on the American Campus model. The housing blocks of Geurts & Schulze architects are omnidirectional and clustered around courtyards. The oval shaped planters with seating edges offer ample possibilities: they structure the routing, subdivide the spaces for different users and creates graphic identity from above. The ‘bite’ taken from the planter’s edge offers room to play freely.
