Competition Maximaal park, maximaal wonen

Winning entry of the competition ‘Maximaal park, maximaal wonen’ organized by Young BNSP. In Van Tuyllpark options are explored to add a residential function to the park. Main keywords of our entry: nature inclusive, active and park living.

Photo: Chirstian Maijstre

The Sport-Spindel is an axis that connects the city center with the Green Heart, a recreational area of national importance. Inside the park the spindle connects all functions, including existing ones like the sports park. All public functions are situated on this axis.

Sport-spindle is the central axis of the new park, that hosts a variety of public functions including the functions that were moved in the plan. The Spindle is however also a function in itself. Integrated in the pavement is a running track and along the route different sports facilities can be found. The Spindle invites for movement.

Living in a park is a challenge. How do you ensure privacy of the residents, but at the same time do not degrade the park structure? The plan provides two approaches to the park living concept. In the southern part you will find apartment buildings that are literally with their feet in the park. Public and private is demarcated by high plants. All entrances are can be found on a central square. In the north the park structure continues in the neighborhood as well, but entrances are situated inside of the block in a private collective courtyard.

Smart and efficient use of space needs innovative parking solutions. An example is this parking garage on top which sports fields are situated. Residents and visitors of the sportspark share this parking garage.  Other parts of the plan are also rich in multiple use solutions.

Reuse and sustainability are important goals of the plan. The former whitewater course Dutch Water Dreams will be transformed into an innovative waterfilteringsystem where water from the nearby apartment buildings is cleaned. Through a constructed wetland inside of the water course the water is naturally filtered. The clean water is then brought back into the lake.

The plan is in symbiosis with nature. This is an essential component of the design because of the rich bio-diversity the area currently has. Everything that we build is nature inclusive. This means that maximum efforts are made for animals and humans to live together in harmony. The bridge over the lake, for example, that is also part of the foraging area of several species of bats is high enough for them to pass under, and also provides them shelter. A wide range of different natural material habitats are provided and birdhouses are immured into the buildings.

Young BNSP is a branch of the BNSP (Professional association for Dutch urban planners and planners) that stands side by side with the BNSP board for the interests of urban designers and planners. In the case of Young BNSP, we do this for young professionals under 35, both for students and young professionals.

Team: Joost van der Doelen, Georgia Ion, Chris Steenhuis
Location: Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Date: January 2019
Organizer: Young BNSP