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Zaanstad, Willis

Project details

In place of raising the ground, so as is perfunctory for most new building spaces in most polder areas, of the Netherlands, it is chosen to raise the ground in the minimum spaces as required. Along the edges of the water the existing ground level is maintained, due to which the buildings relate better with the water and interesting housing structures can be thus designed. The advantage of which is that less sand is required, and it evolves a better relationship between the water and the houses, besides which the ecological quality of the zone is maintained.

Originally, this area was difficult to approach, as well as boggy, and in the center of the area was a garbage dump. These potentially negative aspects of the area, have been transformed in the design to a positive quality of the location, wherein the housing program for a major part has been realised as a residential island. The water plays an impressive visual element. Most of the houses are located on the waterfront. Since most of the houses are oriented towards the south, they make use of the passive solar energy. The previous garbage dump is taken up in the design as a park, attributed with natural and recreative qualities. A broad, slightly curved route, functions as a binding element and ties the various elements of the area together. The broad and green profile of this route adds spatial quality to the locality, wherein the basis is formed by the green character and the water structure.