Fluvial Garden City Gardens, Almere Hout, The Netherlands (2005-2006)
The mission design intention for Ymere Stimuleringsprijs (Ymere Encouragement Award 2005) is to create a new and innovative neighborhood consisting of 30,000 houses in the polder. Bureau B + B wins the first prize with her entry. The inspiration for the design strategy is based on one hundred sites of archeological findings. Hundred ‘City Gardens’ will serve and protect the ‘substratum treasures’. Phase One of the design strategy is to implement one hundred tree nurseries, where each nursery grows one specific tree species. Once the trees have matured, they will be planted in the area, creating a unique identity and structure in each neighborhood. The City Gardens are connected by a 37km long linear park which is lined with poplar trees and ordered by an imaginary alphabetic grid. The letters from the dictionary correspond with archeological terms. For example, the prototype garden is situ-
ated in the F-zone, where the ‘F’ stands for ‘ Fluvial Garden’ and literally means ‘formed by flowing water’. This concept of flowing water also connects all housing, their inhabitants and informs the complex water system. Rain water is collected from the roofs of the houses, streams to the linear park, filled water playgrounds and reach finally the Fluvial Garden. The housing density increases around the city garden, which forms a closed border of courtyards, creating an intimate atmosphere. Only two small pathways provide access to the garden. The housing facades are made from pressed silt and are shaped by water. Inside there is a water garden with cypress and stepping stones like lilies. After heavy rainfall the water level rises and some stepping stones are submerged in the water. Inlay the garden is transformed and no longer functions as public space, but as an event and exclusive feature for the inhabitants.
Type: Urban Design, Public Space, Park Client: Woningcorporatie Ymere
Designteam: Bureau B+B stedebouw en landschapsarchitectuur
Program: 30.000 dwellings, park
Surface: 37 kilometers Budget: -