Studio report by Tobias Arends
Because of the housing crisis in the Netherlands, considerable amounts of new houses need to be built in order to accommodate all people of the country. For all the new houses that will need to be built, the role of a landscape architect is becoming more and more important. Landscape architects can use their knowledge of the natural environment to effectively bridge the gap between urban spaces and landscapes and make resilient neighbourhoods. The landscape architect’s knowledge of both urban and natural systems is often central to urban design projects and to prepare for this role, Studio Urban introduces the principles of urban environments, including elements like living, working, and transportation. The location for this new neighbourhood? De Dreijen, Wageningen.
Satellite view of the site: De Dreijen, Wageningen
This studio takes place at the end of the second year of the major Landscape Architecture and is led by Homero Penteado. Like every studio, the students start with an inventory of the site to determine which elements the site is or is not composed of. During this site visit, they look at all sorts of different aspects, all sub-divided under three main themes: natural aspects, functional aspects and composition. From these observations, conclusions can be drawn, and analyses can be made. This analysis is imperative for the next step in the process: the concept.
Analysis: Functional opportunities of the site (Lieke Muysert, Machiel Oosse & Tobias Arends)
All the strengths and weaknesses of the site that were determined in the analysis form the basis of the concept. The aspects of the site that sprung out to you, as a student, can influence the concept greatly. For me, the idea of open patches was seeded during the site visit when I noticed that there were a lot of left-over spaces where there used to be buildings. For others, the height difference, urban heat island, the greater context or history were influential for the process of concept creation.
‘Seven characteristics of life’ as a concept for De Dreijen (Machiel Oosse)
From the concept, eventually a masterplan emerges. But first, a spatial concept needs to be made. This spatial concept answers the question: how will your concept be implemented on this specific site? We learned to analyse this way of thinking during the precedent study (also a studio regular) in which we looked at existing designs and how the designers matured their concept into a tangible design. With this knowledge, spatial concepts were drawn out and laid the foundation for the final masterplan.
Since the students are not limited by a budget, a lot of beautiful, but costly designs were made. Many students used new buildings, and an overall influx of new materials. Are there also examples where minimalistic influences were preferred over costly interventions? Minimalism in design can be defined by functionalism, the embrace of void spaces and is the exact opposite of materialism and maximalism. Two expressions sum up minimalism quite well: “Reduce, re-use, recycle”, and “Less is more”. So how can these expressions be implemented in the designs of the future where everything seems to be focussed on expressionism and individualism?
In Yixin’s masterplan for De Dreijen, titled “The Yellow Ribbon”, the neighbourhood is centered around a linear public green space that connects the whole space linearly. Following the bike and pedestrian path on the 'ribbon' takes you on a lingering climb up the push moraine. Along the whole length of the ribbon, there is a long yellow bench that allows multiple uses, such as talking, sitting, reading, playing, doing nothing. The bench's minimalist design forms a clear and cohesive link across the space, appearing as a simple, elongated yellow box integrated into the landscape.
“The Yellow Ribbon” masterplan and its use during the day (Yixin Han)
In my own design, where the Dreijen is considered as an open patch, the building structure is used to frame the different smaller open spaces in the neighbourhood and thus still embrace some of the “empty” aspects that De Dreijen currently consists of. The buildings make room for communal needs like recreation and public events, making the Dreijen a site to visit by everyone, not just by the inhabitants. The minimalist building style will guide the eye away from the “grey” and private part of the neighbourhood and more towards the “green” and public aspects of it.
“De Dreijen as an open patch” masterplan and the connection between the buildings and the different open spaces (Tobias Arends)
An important part of studio, and something I look forward to each time, is the studio culture. During Studio Urban, the European Cup was playing and plenty of matches were watched on the beamer. Having a good working environment is just as important as the work you produce. In a way, the studio culture is created by the communal stress and hard work. But this downside immediately turns into an upside as the studio culture has played a key role in making new friendships and good times overall.
One of the football matches being projected on the beamer
In the end, all designs for De Dreijen were unique in their own way. Some embraced the more minimalistic approach for a refined finish, and others go all out and submerge themselves in the tiniest details. All in all, these were some very inspiring eight weeks, and all these students have even more to offer to the world of landscape architecture in their later studies and work.