Green Architecture | MSc Landscape Architecture, TU Delft

GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Gary Gilson 4762479

Jan Houweling 5056454

Liaw Suxin

5091993 3

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Planting 1.1 Tree Categories 1.2 Trees in TU Delft 1.3 Trees in Tilburg University 1.4 Growth study 1.5 Conclusion:Tree Studies 1.6 Tree Arrangements: Mekelpark i. Line ii. Clump iii. Grid iv. Process v. Planting layer 1.7 Tree Arrangements:Tilburg University Campus i. Grid ii. Cluster iii. Line iv. Solitary 1.8 Comparison: Tree arrangements 2. Perception 2.1 Background 2.2 Cognitive maps and evaluations 2.3 Serial vision 2.4 User Group Analysis 2.5 Conclusion: Perception 4

3. Composition 3.1 Background i. Enclosed garden ii. Rational garden iii. Formal garden iv. Picturesque garden 3.2 Evolution of the campus 3.3 Comparison compositional principles with campus i. Enclosed garden ii. Rational garden iii. Formal garden iv. Picturesque garden 3.4 Programme form 3.5 Basic form 3.6 Spatial form 3.7 Image form 3.8 Conclusion: Composition 4. Synthesis References

Location of Tilburg in the Netherlands

Lay-out of the campus site 6

Introduction This booklet is a plan critique on the campus of Tilburg university. The main research question here is: What is the relation between planting, perception and composition in the design of the campus site of Tilburg University? The method for answering this question was analysing planting, perception and composition separately and drawing conclusions from that analysis. This is done through categorisation of trees with sketches of trees in different scale, from the general tree form to the detailed bark texture, so as to understand the spatial quality that the tree form. There is also an exercise on experimental planting arrangement to understand how trees work together to form spaces of different qualities and subsequently, how the design in Tilburg campus make use of these strategies to form their green campus ground. In the final chapter we brought those different layers of the design together to understand the underlying framework and discuss how they interact. The campus site is located in between the city of Tilburg on the east side and the historic forest Warande on the west side. It is both accessible from the first three university buildings - Cobbenhagen, Koopmans and Goossens are designed by architect Bedaux in the 1960’s. The surrounding space was designed by Pieter Buys. He intended for the campus site to be as green and natural as possible so it would be a healthy, relaxing environment. A lot of existing trees from the forest were preserved, so that there would be a parklike feeling to the campus right from the opening. A lot of expansions followed over the years and a lot of different designers were involved. This makes it hard to talk about the intention of the designer. Because the campus green character was preserved over the years, we can assume that later designers stayed with the original intention of Buys. The first chapter discusses a method for categorising trees in terms of spatial qualities. In the second chapter, we experiment with different tree arrangements and look at the spatial results. After this, we compare with the Tilburg University campus and draw conclusions. The following chapter discusses perception - how is the site perceived, by us and by different user groups? Chapter 4 summarises different historic garden styles, and after this again we compare to the Tilburg University campus to see if we can find design principles related to that garden style. In the conclusion, we try to see how all of the previously analysed components work together in the total design for the campus. 7

Entrance from the parking lot.

Square in front of the Economics block.

Sculptural piece in the lawn behind the cafeteria.

Cobbenhagen building with the enclosed garden.

1. PLANTING Tree Categories | Trees in TU Delft | Trees in Tilburg University | Growth study

Before we started analysing the spatial qualities of the trees at the campus of Tilburg University, we did a test round on the campus of TU Delft, to develop a categorisation method. Because every species of trees and even each individual tree have different spatial qualities, it is useful to have a categorisation system for trees that have similar spatial qualities. The system that we came up with should be applicable to every tree, since it covers all of the spatial criteria. (denseness/regularity/roughness/softness/stability) Of course this categorisation can sometimes still be a subjective system, so different observers might get different results. Also, one tree or species can show characteristics of multiple categories.

1.1 Tree Categories TU Delft Campus

Strict

Trees that clearly define space by itself or in a group. Tense structure and architectural form. Ulmus ‘Columella’

Airy

Trees that do not clearly define space or don’t stand out particularly amongst others. Alnus glutinosa Liquidambar styraciflua Robinia pseudoacacia Platanus hispanica

Monumental

Trees with strong and historical characterizations. Fraxinus excelsior Pterocarya fraxinifolia Aesculus hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’

Mysterious

Trees that evoke curiousity by special features. Cedrus libani ‘Glauca’ Salix x sepulchralis ‘Chrysocoma’ 15

1.2 Trees in TU Delft

Ulmus ‘Columella’ Strict

@Elm_tree_cv. #strict #dense #light #irregular #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Tensed structure and vertical. Form architectural pillar shape. Height: 16m (up to 20m) Age: ± 25 y/o Ø: 25 cm Canopy size: 3.5 m Crown shape: Columnar Bark: Dark grey with black grooves Leaves: Elongated teardrop shape with tiny jagged edges. Branch Structure: Apical branch growth. Leaves populate near the barks to the tip of the branches hence forming dense but small canopy. Spatial quality and Observations: This tree forms no space on it’s own - only in a line or composition it will have power. The branches are close together and so form a dense canopy. Narrow crown forms an ideal narrow avenue. The growing conditions here are fine. The tree is placed in between parking space and water, and has a lot of sunlight.

Alnus glutinosa

Airy

@Black_alder #airy #translucent #light #irregular #grainy #soft #dynamic Deciduous Height: 17m (up to 20m) Age: ± 30 y/o Ø: 20 cm Canopy size: 5m Crown shape: Irregular, patchy, scattered Bark: Dark grey, grooved, noticeable young saplings at eye level height. Leaves: Broad, round, jagged edge, glossy dark green, 10cm Spatial quality and Observations: In between the densely leaved branches of this tree there is much open space. There are no outstanding features to find with this tree, which makes it an excellent candidate for the airy category. Characterizing are the dark shades of green and small, rounded, cone-like fruits. The conditions for this tree are not optimal. It is placed outside the corner of a building, so there is little sunlight. You can see the tree bending it’s stem away from the building and a lot more branches forming on the sunny side as opposed to the shady side. Lower branches are cut to allow traffic to drive underneath. Under ground level there is a sewer and cables, which leaves less space for the roots of the tree.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Airy

@American_sweetgum #airy #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 17m (up to 30m) Age: ± 50 y/o Ø: 30 cm Canopy size: 7m Crown shape: Pyramidal shaped Bark: Dark brown, rough Leaves: The leafs are one shade of green and in autumn turn bright shades of yellow, orange and red. Star-shaped leaves densely around the branches, with a lot of voids in between the branches. 13cm long leaf. Spatial quality and Observations: Here the trees are placed in a grid, and because the lower branches grow horizontally it creates a great roof with a calming effect.

Robinia pseudoacacia

Airy

@Black_locust #airy #translucent #light #irregular #fine #soft #dynamic Deciduous Height: 20m (up to 25m) Age: ± 50 y/o Ø: 25 cm Canopy size: 10m Crown shape: Unevenly, a hint of oval, transparent. Bark: Light grey with vertical bumps, slight green tint of moss growth. Leaves: Twigs of olive green small thorn with 20 green oval leaflets of size 4.5cm Spatial quality and Observations: Located in the cemetery, the soft, porous and uneven canopy creates a natural forested atmosphere. Due to the grid arrangement, branch growth is biased and skewed towards the external space due to light availability. This creates a high volumetric central space.

Platanus hispanica

Airy

@London_plane #airy #transparent #light #irregular #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 22m (up to 25m) Age: ± 40 y/o Ø: 50 cm Canopy size: 9m Crown shape: Round. Bark: Light gray base, dark green layer flaking off in thin plates forming patterned barks. Leaves: 3-lobed leaves, light green, jagged edge. Spatial quality and Observations: Lined along roadway. This tree is so tall and it’s canopy so high, that there is no clearly defined space formed by this tree. This tree is in poor condition. Because this tree is usually very adaptive and resistant, something bad has to be going on. We assume that because the tree is in between two bodies of water, there has to be an underground structure that leaves no space for the tree’s roots. Furthermore, the tree has been pruned in favour of the traffic. Because of this poor condition, the tree looks pale with light shades of green and yellow. The canopy is very transparent.

Fraxinus excelsior Monumental

@Ash_tree #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 24m (up to 30m) Age: ± 80 y/o Ø: 80 cm Canopy size: 12m Crown shape: Wide oval Bark: Grey brown regular grooved trunk. Rough surface promotes climbers growth Leaves: Elongated leaf shape with gently saw edges, dark green, 25cm Spatial quality and Observations: This tree is very present because it is about as broad as it is tall. Strong historical features. Also show’s characteristics of the airy category for it’s transparent canopy and fine leaves. Similarities with pterocarya: Feathered leafs at the very end of the branches. Multiple shades of green, ranging from pale to darker. Reflection of sunlight gives the leaves a greyish hue. Dome-like shape observed on the outside as well as the inside; this is emphasized by a lot of dead branches in the middle (caused by disease). This shape makes this tree inviting and forms an excellent space for reading a book. Great growing conditions in open park. Upgoing roots formed a small hill over the years. Ecological value; tree is covered by insects, moss and lichen.

Pterocarya fraxinifolia Monumental

@Caucasian_wingnut #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 18m (up to 20m) Age: ± 80 y/o Ø: 100 cm Canopy size: 10m Crown shape: Wide round Bark: Dark brown, deeply grooved with intensed braided pattern, scattered lump notches Leaves: Elongated leaf shape with gently saw edges, dark green, 20cm Spatial quality and Observations: Strong features and majestic leafs give this tree high rank in the hierarchy of space. Tree is inviting and makes a great climbing tree. High canopy in relation to branches. Semi-transparent. Long branches before growth starts. Broad, umbrella-shaped canopy. 1 shade of green in leafs: fresh green. Feathered leafing similar to ash tree. Few specs of young growth on old wood. Tree is situated in between bicycle lane and road, so the canopy height is maintained at 5m. Clearly roots grow horizontally, over the years a small hill has formed around the tree. The branches of this specimen are more evenly spread then adjacent trees, which are closer to the road.

Aesculus hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’ Monumental

@Chestnut #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 27m Age: ± 80 y/o Ø: 120 cm Canopy size: 7m Crown shape: Egg shape Bark: Light grey, peeled layered grooved. Branched out densely to vertical sub-branches to form a “bouquet” of seemingly mini Chestnut trees. Leaves: 7 individual leaf plates stemming from the branch tip. Green leaves discoloured with yellow patches. Jagged edges. Spatial quality and Observations: Strong sense of volume and stem shaped like a ‘strong man’ make this tree feel present and important. This tree is a forest within itself, caused by horizontal growth in the lower branches, and perpendicular growth with a lot of thick branches. Situated here in an avenue, the horizontal branches have a tunneling effect of the space. It’s hand-shaped leaves turn brown early in the year caused by a bleeding disease, which announces autumn at the end of summer. Great growing conditions, situated in a park, this chestnut had reached its optimal form.

Cedrus libani ‘Glauca’ Mysterious

@Lebanon ceder #mysterious #contrasting #dramatic #transparent #light #irregular #fine #spikey #dynamic Evergreen conifer Height: 19m Age: ± 50 y/o Ø: 40 cm Canopy size: 6m Crown shape: Broad pyramidal Bark: Dark black-grey bark, scaly twigs. Flakey rough barks encourages climbers growth Leaves: Needle-like leaf, silver blue-grey 2cm Spatial quality and Observations: Tree stands out among others in this park setting by it’s color and strange shape. Evokes curiousity and a feeling of gloominess. Tree with a lot of contrasts. Blue-greyish needles make the tree stand out amongst other deciduous trees and form contrast within with it’s dark-colored bark. Hanging branches contrast with upstanding pine cones. Spiky needles contrast with smooth round pine cones. Capricious growth results in transparent, randomly spread canopy with a lot of voids in between.

Salix x sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’ Mysterious

@Weeping willow #mysterious #dense #massive #full #grainy #flexible #dynamic Deciduous Height: 12m (up to 20m) Age: ± 30 y/o Ø: 50 cm Canopy size: 8m Crown shape: Draped geometry Habitat: Near the water. Also visually complementary to that image of water as it expresses movement when it sways with the wind. Bark: Rough grooved, promoting ivy climbers growth. Concealed by hanging dense canopy. Leaves: Long, narrow green leaf of 10cm hanging from extremely thin twigs. This terminal twigs hangs down from the main sturdy sub-branches and sways with the wind. 2 shades of green; dark green frontside and grey backside of the leaf. Spatial quality and Observations: Full branches hanging to ground level and thus forming walls around a space. Weeping vines are appealing but also evoke a melancholic feeling. Very dense canopy. Dynamic tree - vines wave in the wind. Growing conditions are fine - habitat near the water but not very much space, it is placed next to a road and does endure paving, so it will not grow to it’s optimal height of 25 m. Knotted so that a lot of young branches come out of thick old stem which result in a more roundly shaped canopy.

1.3 Trees in Tilburg University Campus In Tilburg campus, we identified 7 trees and classified them into the categories that were created from the trees in TU Delft. We came up with a new categoryThe Insecure as the trimmed Quercus robur and the Pinus sylvestris worked best in a group to curate a space together. When left as an individual tree, the off-form canopies and skewed proportion of the foliage and the trunk height gives an awkward placement.

Tree Categories

Tilburg University Campus

Strict

Trees that clearly define space by itself or in a group. Tense structure and architectural form. Abies nordmanniana Platanus hispanica [pruned] Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’

Airy

Trees that do not clearly define space or don’t stand out particularly amongst others. Betula pubescens (Birch)

Monumental

Trees with strong and historical characterizations. Quercus rubra (Northern red oak)

Insecure

Awkward as an individual but works great as a team. Quercus robur -trimmed (English oak) Pinus sylvestris

Abies nordmanniana

Strict

@Nordmann_fir @Caucasian_fir #strict #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Coniferous Height: 10m (up to 60m) Age: ± 20 y/o Lifespan: Up to 500 years Ø: 50 cm Canopy size: 5m Crown shape: Pyramidal Branch Structure: Radiating sagging flexible branches Bark: Black-brown and grooved, signs of lichen growth Leaves: Dark green needles, 2-3cm Spatial quality and Observations: Low canopy heights, no possibility for activity under tree. From afar, tree gives a soft texture. In proximity, leaves are spikey to touch. Gives emphasis to the corner of the avenue.

Platanus hispanica [pruned]

Strict

#strict #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 10m (up to 25m) Age: ± 15 y/o Ø: 20 cm Canopy size: 8m Crown shape: Elongated oval Bark: Light gray base, dark green layer flaking off in thin plates forming spotty patterned barks Leaves: 3-lobed leaves, light green, jagged edge Spatial quality and Observations: Pruning promotes lateral growth resulting in dense canopy which form a wellshaded avenue. Pruning allows each tree to be seen as a single entity as their canopy does not overlap too much.

Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ Strict

#strict #monumental #dense #regular #full #grainy #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 3m (up to 7m) Age: ± 40 y/o Ø: 20 cm Canopy size: 2.5m Crown shape: round Branch structure: Lateral growth is encouraged due to pruning of the main branches resulting in dense foliage. Bark: Dark gray Leaves: 5-lobed leaves with jagged edges, light green, 18cm long Spatial quality and Observations: The tree is heavily pruned to maintain its low height and small rounded canopy. This offers a tree in a human-scale relation. There is adequate headroom and the canopy provides shelter due to the high density of and also interaction since the leaf foliage is within reach.The seemingly miniature tree creates an adventurous and mysterious feeling of going through a walkway in a fantasy land.

Betula pubescens

Airy

@Common_white_birch #airy #strict #monumental #transparent #light #regular #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 10m (up to 20m) Age: ± 15 y/o Ø: 20 cm Canopy size: 1.5m Crown shape: elongated oval, sparse Bark: White, peeling off in thin strips Leaves: Rounded diamond shape, jagged edge leaf, 4cm Spatial quality and Observations: White bark is a stark contrast to the surrounding sunken carpark. Since it is the only birch around the area, it serves as a visual attraction to indicate the exit point of the carpark and the location of the exit stairs.

Quercus rubra

Monumental

@Northern red oak #monumental #dense #massive #full #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 20m (up to 30m) Age: ± 35 y/o Ø: 55cm Canopy size: 8m Crown shape: Pyramidal with smooth cap Bark: Smooth grey bark with vertical scoring Leaves: Sinuous alternate notches and lobes, jagged edges, dark green, 20cm Spatial quality and Observations: The bottom part of the canopy is quite dense and strict while the top part is far more transparent. This is not the typical image of the Quercus rubra. We assume that it is not a very healthy tree. Apart from that the wide dense canopy forms a beautiful roof and from a distance a clear, pear-like shape is seen.

Quercus robur [trimmed] Insecure

@English_oak @Common_oak #monumental #translucent #massive #irregular #fine #soft #stable Deciduous Height: 16m (up to 30m) Age: ± 25 y/o Ø: 40cm Canopy size: 8m Crown shape: irregular, hints of pyramidal shape Bark: Dark grey and grooved Leaves: Long oval leaf shape with smooth asymmetrical sinuous lobes of 10cm length Spatial quality and Observations: As individual tree, the irregular and scattered foliage brings inadequacy to the tree. However, in the car park, when it is arranged in a grid, the cluster of trees work together to form a plaza space. Emphasise is no longer at the individual irregular canopy but on the trunk spacing and the space demarcated by the combined canopy. The canopy is trimmed and pruned to prevent falling branches. Falling acorns on the roof of cars (seemingly) creates music.

Pinus sylvestris

Insecure

@Scotch_pine #monumental #airy #translucent #light #irregular #fine #spikey #dynamic Evergreen conifer Height: 17m (up to 30m) Age: ± 50 y/o Ø: 40cm Canopy size: 7m Crown shape: Irregular, sparse, hint of an oval shape Leaves: Dark green needle-like leaf, slightly twisted, 5cm Bark: Grayish-brown coarse bark, scaled patchy texture Spatial quality and Observations: Unusually high foliage remaining on the tree indicates that the site used to be a dense forest where trees compete for sunlight resulting suppressing growth of the lower branches. It is difficult to notice the foliage due to the high canopy. As such, the trunks serves as architectural pillars to the open lawn. The sparse foliage provides minimal shelter for rain or sun. The Scotch pines are located on mounds so that water rolls of and the soil underneath is dryer, which makes a better habitus for the pine.

1.4 Growth Study

Platanus hispanica in TU Delft Campus The Platanus hispanica was unusually transparent and empty with thin foliage. The growing conditions were analysed. The tree was given sufficient space and canopy room to expand and full exposure to direct sunlight as it was located in the middle of the road. However, the planting strip given to it was 1m narrow, abutting it was main vehicular road which required thick road layering and a bicycle pathway. This leaves minimal space for decomposition of fallen leaves for nutrients cycle. In addition, the road runs perpendicular to and disrupts a line of waterway. With the extrapolation that the waterway runs under the road and under the Platanus hispanica, this leaves the soil depth shallow and the root ball to be very confined. When these factors are combined, the narrow soil width and shallow soil depth result in poor growing conditions for the Platanus hispanica located in the middle of the road as compared to its peers on the edge of the road along the cemetery.

1.5 Conclusion

Tree Studies

The underlying landscape in Tilburg is different from Delft. The ground level is generally higher and the soil is sandy instead of clay and pete. Because different trees thrive in different conditions, the trees are a reflection of the underlying landscape. For example, Pinus trees are iconic trees for the sandy landscape. They also have a lot of spacial qualities that no trees in Delft have. (as described later in the report) Furthermore, we found it interesting that in Delft, we did not find a single tree that could be categorized as ‘insecure’. We speculate that this is because the campus of Delft is more urban than the foresty campus of Tilburg University, and there is simply no place for the modest, insecure tree. We also found that the trees that we categorise as strict, we recognize shapes that are geometrical in essence, so for example the oval of pyramid. These are shapes we can associate with. Finally, we found that different trees from the same species can have different characteristics. These characteristics are influenced by: Age and health; older and/or healthier trees are more likely to be categorized as monumental - younger and/or weaker trees are more likely to be categorized as insecure. Maintainance - for example a pruned airy tree will be more likely to be categorized as strict. This leads us to the conclusion that our method of categorizing trees is meant for individual trees, not for entire species. We are looking at trees in a specific place and time.

1.6 TREE ARRANGEMENTS in Mekelpark, TU Delft Line | Line with diff. Species | Clump Grid | Process | New Planting Layers

After discussing individual trees in Delft and Tilburg University, the next chapter looks at how these individual trees work together is a specific arrangement to form different qualities of spaces. The chosen location of study is the linear pathway along the Faculty of Applied Science of 4 stories high. The pathway comprises of both a pedestrian walkway of 1.5m and a cycling path of 2.5m. The space is framed by the Applied Science building and the other side is left open towards the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering at the opposite end of Mekkel Park. Subsequently, we also try the cluster arrangement on a slightly raised mound. Then, there is a process study of the change in spatial quality of trees in a circular arrangement within 100 years. Lastly, we analyse how groundcover, shrubs and pavement material work with tree arrangement to develop a tiered space.

Chosen location for study in Mekel Park.

Line Experiment 1

w/ Ulmus ‘Columella’

In this exercise, we started off with a row of Ulmus ‘Columella’’ on each side of the pavement spaced 4m apart. The Ulmus ‘Columella’ was chosen as it has the ideal architectural pillar geometry due to the “strict” characteristics it has as discussed in the previous chapter. The trees are planted 0.5m away from the pavement so that the canopy of the 2 rows would overlap and form an arching vault tunnel due to its columnar crown shape. The tunnel space formed is linear and dark (due to the dense canopy) but it allows for visual connection in the horizontal direction. The row of tree in front of the Faculty of Applied Science conceals the building and a passerby would hardly notice the building.

Line Experiment 2

w/ Ulmus ‘Columella’

Next, we experimented with 2 rows of Ulmus ‘Columella’ on one side of the pavement, leaving the other side framed by the building. The 2 rows of trees increase the density of the boundary on one side of the pathway and this adds volume to the spatial frame resulting in a relatively enclosed space. The trees are spaced 8m apart and the 2 rows are staggered such that the view out from the dense planting is diluted. In this arrangement, the height and the linear length of the space is emphasised due to the unobstructed view of the tall building. A passerby is allowed an unhindered view of the stairs entrance to the building from a distance.

Line Experiment 3

w/ Ulmus ‘Columella’

Next, we moved on to having a row of Ulmus ‘Columella’ on one side of the pavement. The trees are planted 5m far away from the pavement to allow the expansion of the space in proportion to the huge towering building beside it. Having a small crown size of 3m and having the trees spaced 8m far apart, the trees are seen more as an individual tree working together to indicate a line.

Line Experiment 3

w/ Salix x sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’ Keeping to 1 row of trees with the same planting spacing dimensions and distance from the pathway, we experimented with different species of trees. In this exercise, the Salix x sepulcralis ‘Chrysocoma’ is lined up to form a curtain of draping wall along the pathway. With the canopy of the trees overlapping, the continuous foliage forms a long wall. This frames a very rectangular and well defined by the building and the extended foliage of the Salix all the way to the ground. There is a texture contrast between the hard concrete surface of the building and the soft dynamic salix hanging leaves.

Line Experiment 3

w/ Fraxinus excelsior

Next, we have the monumental Fraxinus excelsior of the “Monumental” category lined up. With the gigantic 9m canopy size of Fraxinus excelsior, the overhanging canopy frames the enclosed space together with the building wall. The line up of the huge canopy gives weight to the space and ample shade.

Line Experiment 3 w/ Pinus sylvestris

For this species experiment, we chose the Pinus sylvestris of the “Insecure” category. The irregular foliage of the tree work together to form a linear row of high canopy foliage. This tall tree with lengthy bark gives balance to the space as there is a similarity in terms of scale between the adjacent building and the tres.The space formed is linear in direction of the row of trees and porous in the perpendicular direction due to the large 8m spacing between the narrow barks. The tall trunks highlights the verticality of the space.

Moving forwards, we focus on the slightly raised mound on the lawn beside the walkway and experiment with a cluster arrangement. Robinia pseudocacia is chosen as it works well in a group and it has a “Airy” characteristics with translucent and loose foliage. The trees are planted around the mound with a spacing of 4m apart to allow the canopy to overlap and form a continuous “Halo” ring above the mound. There is a contrast in the lighting as the oculus allows light in to the peak of the mound while the base is well shaded by the trees. The circular arrangement of the trees gives emphasis to the geometrical shape of the mound. 76

Clump Experiment 1 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

Following which, instead of a circular arrangement on the base of the mound, we tried planting a clump of Robina pseudocacia on the peak of the mound. This helps to emphasize the topography through the different starting heights of the trunks along the raised surface. The trees forms an umbrella canopy, providing a defined and well sheltered space underneath it.

Clump Experiment 2 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

In the last clump experiment, Robinia pseudoacacia are positioned together, hugging an arc of the mound. The trees form the backdrop of the stagemound and gives the space a direction for activities to occur. There could be a performance on the mound or users could read a book on the mound. With this arrangement, the mound seems like a giant chair as the trees acts as a backing, allowing users to feel secure when they are facing away from the trees.

Clump Experiment 3 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

In this section, we experimented with different grid arrangements of the Robinia pseudoacacia. The grid spacing and the occupancy of the grid is varied. First, we have a 6m by 6m grid of trees with the diagonal strip left empty to form a main walkway. With this arrangement, there is a gradient density with the space getting densest and darkest in the centre of the walkway with 2 rows of trees on both sides of the walkway. There is a layered view within the space as the trees are rows are staggered from the viewpoint of one using the diagonal walkway. It is interesting how there is a different grid for the person walking in the diagonal path.

Grid Experiment 1 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

With a 10m by 6m rectangular grid, the arrangement of the trees form a continuous canopy only in one direction. This allows a 2 different views and experience from this grid of tree when viewed from the North-South and East-West direction. When seen from the latter, the trees canopy seems like an impervious block of volume. But when viewed from the former direction, there is porosity and 3 linear avenues as shown in the section drawn

Grid Experiment 2 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

The grid is shifted and designed diagonally. The rhombus grid of 8m by 8m creates a dynamic space which formed 2 skewed axis. The space bounded by the trees is enclosed and sheltered. There is a sense of layering in the space as the trees arrangement is staggered.

Grid Experiment 3 w/ Robinia pseudoacacia

2 rings of Liquidambar styraciflua of height 2.5m spaced 6m apart arranged around the mound.

Process

in 0 years w/ Liquidambar styraciflua

Trees are seen individually.

Small canopy size of 2m.

Increase in height and canopy size.

Process

in 10 years w/ Liquidambar styraciflua

Canopy overlaps to form a cluster arrangement of trees. Trees no longer seen as individuals.

Collective sheltered space with higher ceiling height. 91

Trees in the centre of the mound are removed to form an orculus.

Process

in 50 years w/ Liquidambar styraciflua

Change in spatial quality with light filtering in the centre.

Layered foliage with different lighting density. 93

Smaller trees are planted for succession as the old trees die

Process

in 100 years w/ Liquidambar styraciflua

Porous space across the mound creates an invitation for exploration

Layered canopy with different heights form by both tree foliage and smaller newer trees. 95

Using grid experiment 1 with Robinia pseudoacacia, we tried using different ground cover and shrubs to create different spatial qualities.

Grid arrangement creating a line of circulation a line of tree. Hedges help to create the 2 axis. Tiered ground cover indicates the geometrical square formed by the grid. Hedges guides circulation and serves as a transition from the low ground cover to the big trees. 96

Planting Layer Experiment 1

on Grid Experiment 1 with Liquidambar styraciflua

Grid arrangement of trees with diagonal hedges to emphasize the direction of the pathway. Staggered hedges created a layered linear space and emphasises on the alternate positioning of the trees. From afar, the hedges together to give an impression that the space is confined. 98

Planting Layer Experiment 2

on Grid Experiment 1 with Liquidambar styraciflua

100

1.7 TREE ARRANGEMENTS in Tilburg University Grid | Cluster | Line | Solitary

101

The grid of trees and the lowered ground level together hide the cars from sight.

The grid is regular to emphasize the rectangular shape of the sunken area, the individual trees are irregular and make for a more natural image. 102

Grid

At the sunken parking lot

The Quercus robur is in a grid arrangement of 8m by 4m. As an individual tree, the irregular and scattered foliage bring inadequacy to the tree. However, in the car park, when it is arranged in a grid in a sunken area, the cluster of trees work together with the surrounding boundary slopes to unify and contain the parking plaza space while providing some shelter from the rain. Emphasize is no longer at the individual irregular canopy but on the trunk spacing and the space demarcated by the combined canopy. The canopy is trimmed and pruned to prevent falling branches.

103

The mount functions as a stage for the forest, and make it more present on the campus.

The irregularly scattered trees contrast the rectangular shape of the plot.

104

Cluster

Near the Library

The random arrangement of the individual trees, together with their unified canopy forms the forest cluster beside the library. It is located on a slightly raised mound to retain and draw reference to the old forest. It is a remnant of the forest that existed. The random arrangement of the trees helps people to relate this site to the origins of the forested grounds of the campus. The undergrowth layer of thick shrubs blocks visual connection between the library and the SBIT association building. Because of the forest cluster, the SBIT building is tucked into a miniature forested environment. On a larger scale, the forest cluster is an element of the bigger natural boundary condition where forested edge hugs the western main strip of campus.

105

The trees form a transitional space between the circulation pathway and the building.

Towards the end of the axis, the ground cover becomes more bushy to prevent the view towards the residential area.. 106

Line

Main Spine

The 12m wide boulevard is formed by 2 rows of Platanus hispanica, one on each side of the avenue. The trees are spaced roughly 6m apart, giving the canopy ample space to develop its shape and maintain its individuality. The pruning setting back of the branches promotes lateral growth and causes a dense canopy to form. This creates a well-shaded avenue from angled sunlight and the wide avenue maintains a vertical association to the sky. The line arrangement of the trees directs views and movement along the axis resulting in the neglection of the surrounding context. By using the same trees and the line planting arrangement, the 200m long avenue helps to connect the eastern and western campus which was disrupted by a traffic road junction. This avenue forms the backbone of the campus. Because of its linear nature, it is mostly used as a connective pathway for large volumes of pedestrians and cyclists rather than a node for activities. There is also another line arrangement of Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ behind the Economics building, connecting the main central spine to the sculptural lake. Similarly, the line arrangement directs view and circulation along the axis. But this time, the smaller tree arranged in a more compacted line of 4m apart, frames view to the adjacent lawn and forest cluster.

107

The solitary tree marks the line of sight towards the economics building

The solitary tree is placed right in the middle of the pathway

108

Solitary

There are several instances of solitary trees within the Tilburg campus. They aid in wayfinding and also serve as a signature tree to emphasize key areas. For instance, in front of the economics building, there is an oak tree strategically placed in the center of the boulevard axis. It helps 7000 students with identifying the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) building which is the pride of Tilburg University as it is the top Business and Economics school in the Netherlands. The solitary tree is also massive in terms of its height (18m) and canopy size (8m) which serves as a transition and a relation to the massive 12-story high economics building adjacent to it. Another example would be the Catalpa bignonioides located between the line up of Acer platanoides ‘Globosum” and the lake. The lone tree with the wide canopy and low hanging branches serve as a visual focal point from the Acer platanoides ‘Globosum” avenue, drawing visitors to stray from the paved pathway into the lawn, towards the water sculpture. The Catalpa bignonioides also signifies the end of the Acer platanoides ‘Globosum” avenue and a decision point for visitors to navigate.

109

110

1.8 Comparison: Tree Arrangements Mekelpark vs Tilburg Campus

Overall, the arrangement of the trees of specific individual spatial quality works together to curate a larger spatial quality and functional use of the space. In Mekel Park, we experimented on different tree arrangements working with the topographical features (in our case, the mounds) to form different programmatic spaces and ambience. In Tilburg University, the work with the raised soil height of the forest cluster not only helps to create a hierarchy of space but also relate to the cultural history of the location. Apart from the ground cover and shrubs, tree arrangements can also work with the topographical differences to create spaces. In Mekel Park, the grid arrangement was complemented with the experimental ground cover types to vary the spatial quality within the grid. In Tilburg, the grid arrangement is not only accompanied by the different ground texture material to demarcate the car parking area but the entire grid was also sunken in to create an even more exaggerated space. Even though both the Mekel Park and Tilburg University uses boulevard to form connecting spaces, the types of trees used and the resulting spatial form and purpose is different. The avenues in Mekel Park is relatively porous and diluted given the ratio of the separating distance and height of trees. There is a slight indication of the linear direction but more emphasis was given to the overall space and visual connection between the Faculty of Applied Science and the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Meanwhile, the line boulevard in Tilburg campus serve to block views and association to non-related context such as the residential buildings and it also unifies the to blocks of campus together. 111

112

2. PERCEPTION

Cognitive mapping | Serial vision | User group analysis

113

2.1 Background There are millions of impression being hurled at the perceiver hence we select, organise and interpret this information. Environmental psychology looks at the relationship between the 4 elements, i) Individual ii) society iii) built environment iv) landscape. We interact with our surroundings through our senses: touch, sight, smell, taste, hear. The interaction between the environment and man forms perception. Our brain processes the information and gives an emotional response. This results in an action to cope/ interact with the environment. Mainly focusing on the experiences of an individual, we can understand a design through a psychological lens by evaluating its wayfinding, restorative value, place identity, and sustainability value.

The preference matrix, R. Kaplan and Kaplan, 1987.

The Preference Matrix explains that preference of a place depends on the state of mind of the perceiver and the information that is revealed to him/her. This brings about awareness of a neutral mindset and an empty judgement when we analyse Tilburg University.

Reasonable person model, R. Kaplan and Kaplan, 1987. 114

Also, the Reasonable Person Model presents a framework to explain 3 factors in an environment that would support the basic needs of humans. For instance, in Tilburg University, the adjacent forest and parts of the forest extension in the compound is preserved and kept in its natural state. Students respect the space and do not park their bicycles in these natural areas. At the same time, they are able to explore the green areas, de-stress and recover from mental fatigue. Another aspect is to consider different user groups as they have different requirements and conditions. As a result, they would experience a space differently. Some user groups include elderly, children, dog walker, homeless people.

115

116

2.2 COGNITIVE MAPS

117

Cognitive Map 1 by Suxin Liaw

118

Evaluation

of the Cognitive Map Missed out on the mixed used residential buildings on the upper floors as the focus was drawn away to the shop houses below it. Did not take notice of the pavement material as evenly tiled bricks was comfortable to walk on. Emphasize placed on the water body as it provided a contrasting texture to the hardscape Missed out on the street lamps along the main boulevard since linear pathway is also formed by the avenue of trees. Also the lamp posts naturally divided the road unconsciously. Too many bikes around hence missed out on the extent of the parked pikes. Also they are non-iconic. Missed out on a gigantic tree in front of the water body as the building surrounding it are overwhelming and comparatively bigger. Size of the tree was not exaggerated. The avenue of trees created a tunnel straight vision directed in a straight line which resulted in the neglect of the backdrop beyond the trees. Also, the length of the boulevard was underestimated since the long passageway offers a similar atmosphere throughout. The road junction demanded a change in perception from a disregard and aloof attitude to an alert mentality to keep a look-out for traffic. This results in an exaggerated dimension of the road junction. Missed out on minor circulation pathways due to a lack of place markers. Emphasized placed on overhead bridge since it is the grand gesture of cutting over the boulevard. Also there is a change in spatial quality due to the sheltered environment and roof. Emphasized placed on the tiled glossy bench due to the shiny reflective material used. 119

Cognitive Map 2 by Gary Gilson

120

Evaluation

of the Cognitive Map Did not notice the interlinked hedge at the starting point as the main axis drove more attention towards it. Was unclear about the components of landscape at the starting point as more focus was on the linear water body in front of the student housing. Missed out on two tall but very linear buildings because they were hidden away by trees and was not standing out as a contrasting feature at first sight. Difference in planting style on either sides. One much organised and linear, the other more chaotic and random.The randomness creates a visual barrier and halps to keep moving forward. Curiosity to go inside the hedged area near the cafeteria. No clear understanding of what lay on the other side of the hedges. One particular pathway in beside the Economics building remembered due to the specificity of the thorny species of tree used in planting. Bikes parked everywhere. Takes away the essence of the campus from a ‘Campus inside the Forest’ to ‘Parking lot inside the forest.’ Missed the new building with an enclosed garden because no path was inviting enough. The building was hidden from sight from almost all major entry and communal points in the campus.

121

Cognitive Map 3 by Jan Houweling

122

Evaluation

of the Cognitive Map Misread the shape of the pond, not rectangular but trapezoid. Missed the residential area next to the axis (hid by vegetation, presumed this in purposely designed like this). Bikes along axis, hid by extruded planters. Emphasized on landmarks, for example coffee corners, weirdly shaped buildings, bridge over road, fountain, art. Forest part, really present but missed out anyway because of point of interest opposite to it. Did not miss much of the axis because monotonous image all the way through/ same compositional principles.

123

124

2.3 SERIAL VISION

125

The main spine with the boulevard and the University’s sign at the entrance invites one to go in.

The spine, along with the row of trees on either side and the linear arrangement of lamp posts which act as unifying elements keep pulling the visitor forward. The sea of cycles nullify and blurs out the spaces that exist beyond the spinal axis. 126

The walls on either side produce a tunnel effect, with the trees emphasizing the verticality. The breaks in the side walls evoke curiosity against the monotonous nature of the spine.

The hedges beside the spine on a level higher than it beholds a sense of mystery, grabbing one’s attention and intuitively forces him/her to move in.

127

The branching meandering pathways with a backdrop of Pinus sylvestris cluster and the buzzing square infront of the Economis building asks the user to move on a path farther away from it to explore more of what’s unseen on the campus.

The spikey trees next to the cafeteria and the image of a forest behind it drives one towards it

128

The avenue of Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ is in human scale. The cosy, low ceiling canopy, along with a galimpse of the art work in the background makes one pass through it.

The avenue ends abruptly, and leaves the visitor in confusion. The large Catalpa bignioides is a majestic tree with no immediate neighbours and this, along with the want to see the art work up close guides one to it throgh the grass, even though there is no defined path to it. 129

The Cobbenhagen building, hidden away from the main spine is the space you find at the end of a thorough exploration on campus. The huge cut-out opening with a courtyard space inside is inviting.

As one reaches the central space of the Cobbenhagen building, what awaits is a gift for the entire journey, which is an enclosed garden with an art piece. 130

2.4 USER GROUP ANALYSIS Wheelchair User

131

132

Tilburg University has provided reasonably easy physical accessibility for wheelchair users. It has also provided information about disabled parking, public transport connections to and from the university, disabled toilets locations and also potentially problematic areas. People with a physical disability were spotted on the campus. Apart from the facilities provided by the campus, we chose wheelchair users as our target group as we wanted to find out the spatial quality and the haptic sensorial perceived by these group of people. Taking the viewing height of a wheelchair user to be 110cm and an average standing man of height 170cm, the analysis was done following a fixed path as shown.

133

Point1: Designated wheelchair parking serves as our starting point. Material: Flat tessellated bricks.

Point 2: At the central cross junction, there is a material change to indicate the 2 perpendicular axis. This axial intersection is well felt on the wheelchair while one travelling on foot will not notice the difference in materials.

Material change creates a haptic sensation for wheelchair users.

At this junction, there is different spatial experience by a wheelchair user and one standing. The former would have a framed view with the foreground as the “sea” of bicycles and the subsequent trees, which conceal what is going on behind, would form the background. Meanwhile, the latter would have a layered view of the partially conceal building programmes. Because of the combined use of a 1.2m high wall with another later of shrubs, the wheelchair user would not be able to notice the retail store- Starbucks. 134

Point 2: Wheelchair user’s perception: Sea of bicycles.

Point 2: Layered view of man. 135

Point 3 Along the central axis, the line of concrete benches followed by shrubs and a row of bicycle creates an inaccessible area and boundary between the boulevard and the adjacent buildings. The final layer of a 1.2m high wall creates a significant spatial distinction as wheelchair users are not able to look pass the wall. As a result, the spatial experienced by wheelchair users is significantly limited to the central boulevard, creating a tunnel vision.

Point 3: Wheelchair user’s perception: Obstructed view.

Point 4 Because of the height difference, a lower perspective would result in a magnified concrete wall, concealing the background objects, evoking a sense of mystery. The wheelchair user would perceive the wall as a giant gate entrance. Meanwhile, a standing man can see and associate the consecutive hedge as a series of gantry for the main pathway. There is an immediate awareness and understanding of the building in the background. 136

Point 4: Wheelchair user’s perception: Giant gate entrance.

Point 4: Standing man’s view: Series of gantry. 137

Point 5 Due to the lowered perspective, there is a sensorial interaction with the scented flowering hedges. The flowers up-close activates the sense of touch and smell of the wheelchair user.

Upclose interaction.

Point 6 Having a low canopy, the Acer Platanoide frames the view and direct the viewline downwards especially for taller people. As such, the sightline of a wheelchair user would start off lower and have the sightline extending to the skyline while a standing man would not be able to see the full portrait of the landscape.

Grass as a material is not ideal for wheelchair users. Lawn is perceived as an inaccessible area by wheelchair users; lawn is perceived as a spill out welcoming area to explore for one travelling by foot. 138

Point 6: Wheelchair user’s perception:Wider view with vertical extension to the sky.

Point 6: Standing man’s view: Ground focused view. 139

140

2.5 Conclusion

Perception

When it comes to perception at the Tilburg University campus, nothing is as it seems. The composition and vegetation together create everything there is to see, but that does not mean that everything is observed. This becomes clear when evaluation the cognitive maps. The number of things that we missed out on the first time is large. Even important, very present objects can easily be missed when the focus is set in another direction. By doing the serial vision we found that when intuitively walking (without destination) there are a lot of points of interest to be found on the campus site, distracting the attention from less desirable area’s, like the bicycle storages. What is also interesting is that despite the really structured scheme of the campus, there are still a lot of natural places to just wander about. The same landscape design might be perceived differently by different user group because of their specific requirements and conditions. In the case of a wheelchair user, the materials, elevation of viewpoint and physical objects/ obstructions contribute significantly to the space perceived by them. In addition, strategic use of ground cover height and texture activates senses of different user groups with their specific conditions. For this case, having a lower viewpoint, the wheelchair users experience tall hedges up close, activating their senses.

141

142

3. COMPOSITION

143

144

3.1 BACKGROUND

145

Hortus ludi by Meister des Frankfurter Paradiesgärtleins

Organised catalogue garden by Roman de la Rose (15th century)

Medieval monastery’s internal, rectangular garden 146

i. Enclosed Garden Main idea: Garden as a representation of the ideal landscape by organisation of internal space. Space: Singular space This is the oldest garden typology. Arose in a time when nature was associated with danger. To keep out nature boundaries were used, often walls or the building itself (courtyard). The garden was - in contrast to the dangerous natural landscape - a safe space of joy and lust. 3 Types: Hortus Ludi Garden for relaxation, reading, discussing, eating, drinking. Little to no arrangement of garden elements. It is about image, not composition. Elements: wall, gate, meadow, orchard, fountain, table, berceau. Hortus Catalogi Arose from the need to understand the world and make more efficient use of it. Garden elements are geometrically arranged and organised. Elements: wall, gate, rectangular flower beds in orthogonal pattern. Hortus Contemplationis Not only an arrangement of contents, but also spacial design. Hortus contemplationis as centre of the total composition. Place for contemplation. Geometrical symbols are important (square for devine order, axis) Elements: gallery as boundary, empty ground level, axis, centre.

147

Perspective of Villa Medici (Fiesole, Italy), a 15th century Italian Renaissance villa Source: Steenbergen et al. 2008

Divine Proportion, The Golden Ratio. 148

ii. Rational Garden

Main idea: Discovery of landscape as an object of architecture, relations Space: Additional space This garden style is characterized by its relation between architecture, garden and the landscape. The building is the centre of the composition, and the landscape serves as a decor or background. In this way the rational garden is very different from the enclosed and the formal garden. Where the enclosed garden tries to keep the landscape out, the rational garden tries to emphasize it. The garden plays the role of mediator between architecture and landscape. In the rational garden, proportions were very important. Designers were searching for the ‘Divine Proportion’, which suggests that there’s a mathematical equation that’s consistent with the aesthetics of good composition. Principles derived from this theory that can often be seen in this type of gardens are for example the rule of thirds and the golden ratio. (Monroy, 2007)

149

iii. Formal Garden Main idea: Conquest of landscape architectonic space Space: Axial space system The main idea of this garden style is to show dominance of man over nature. With mowed lawns and trimmed hedges it is shown that we can control nature. It is a garden style consisting of clear structure and geometrical forms. Often one or several axis form the structure of the garden. Elements: lawn, hedge, path, water feature, fountain, flowerbed

Vaux le Vicomte geometrical garden Source: Steenbergen et al. 2008 150

iv. Picturesque Garden Main idea Dynamics of landscape transformation Space: Fluid space Where composition and structure are very clear in the previously mentioned garden styles, this is more vague in the picturesque garden style. In this style the design is far more close to nature and tries to be an idealised form of this nature. The idea is to pin the genius loci and elaborate on that. The design responds to the landscape so that these two reinforce each other. A walk through the picturesque garden should have a narrative. Open and enclosing spaces alternate, concealing and revealing lines of sight (follies or outside the landscape) is essential and plays with the element of surprise. Elements: forest, solitary trees, clumps, paths, follies, ha-ha, lines of sight

Layered view of landscape composition. 151

1960 The campus site is all forest, bounded by the Delmerweg.

1980 The University expands in northern direction. 152

1970 The Cobbenhagen building is built by chipping away a small part of the forest.

2019 The campus site as it is today. On northern, eastern and southern site merely a small strip of the forest remain, preserving the green boundary.

3.2 Tilburg University Evolution of the Campus

1960 The campus site is all forest. It’s a so called star-forest from the 18th century, characterized by geometrically shaped avenues. This was designed in the formal style, in favor of the hunting that took place there. It hosts pine trees, oaks and beeches. The campus site is quite hilly. 1970 Economische hogeschool Tilburg is built inside the forest. A small part of forest gets cut away for this. Existing paths in this area disappear. New paths are made, connecting the campus to both the city and the forest, so the forest starts functioning as a backyard for the university. 1980 More faculties are being built. More and more forest gets chipped away, but because many existing trees are kept, the green character of the place remains. The structure of the site is perpendicular or parallel to the structure of the paths in the historical forest. 2019 The campus as it is today. The forest feeling of the campus site remains. The trees are much older than the buildings itself. The main structure of the site connects properly to the city as well as the forest. Some of the hills the where in the original forest, are still visible.

153

154

3.3 Comparison: Compositional principles Tilburg University

155

i. Enclosed Garden in Tilburg University

The courtyard of the former Tilburg University building of Economics resembles a few similarities with the medieval enclosed garden, in particular the Hortus contemplationis. For starters, the courtyard feels like a serene, safe place on the busy campus. And so this garden is a place of contemplation. The garden lies at the centre of the building, just as the Hortus contemplationis was the centre of the composition, the boundaries being the building itself. The shape of the lawn, hedges and slate trees are typically orthogonal.

The courtyard of the Cobbenhagen building, referring to the Hortus contemplationis garden style.

156

ii. Rational Garden in Tilburg University

One, maybe far-fetched, composition principle which might lead back to the rational garden style, is the relationship between the campus and the adjacent landscape. If we see the campus as a garden, you could say the designer tried to ‘pull in’ the ambience of the adjacent forest. After historical analysis we know that the campus site was once part of this forest, and the campus chipped this away throughout the years, leaving plenty of existing trees. Another way to look at this is by seeing the relation as a reference to the surrounding landscape, originally a compositional principle from the rational garden style.

Relationship between campus site and adjacent forest

157

iii. Formal Garden in Tilburg University

The axis that goes throughout the campus site strings together all of the faculties. This way it really forms the backbone of the site. This is a structuring principle derived from the formal garden style.

Axis as structuring element

158

iv. Picturesque Garden

in Tilburg University

The surroundings of the former Tilburg University building of Economics resemble similarities to compositional principles for the picturesque garden style. The elements of this surroundings are mostly lawn and trees (clumps and solitary), which makes the spaces fluid and dynamic. Also there are follylike objects (art, bridge) used to introduce lines of sight and to guide the user through the garden. Spaces along the route shift between enclosed and open, which is also an important compositional principle in the picturesque garden style.

Spatial relationships in the area surrounding the Cobbenhagen building. Lines of sight and follys shape the narrative as you walk around.

Example of one of the follies, here connecting land and water in an abstract way. 159

160

3.4 Programme Form of Tilburg Univeristy Campus

The time factor in the evolution of the campus is visible in the programme form. The campus is not functionally readable to a visitor and the landscape acts as a screen, hiding and revealing certain buildings. For example, if it is not for the sign boards, the Cobbenhagen building is hidden away from the major spine of the campus and it takes a first time visitor some good walking around to eventually locate this hidden treasure. The main reason for this is the later addition of this building in to the fabric that existed on site. The boulevard acts as a datum that binds together the circulation from both entrance points of the campus. The square in front of the economics building acts as a point of pause where the visitor can stop and grasp the arrangement and programmatic connection of the campus. The car parks are hidden away from the main areas either by planting techniques or by intervening in the geomorphology of the land, therefore retaining the ‘campus in a forest’ image. The access to some spaces are tricky as there is no proper orientation with regard to landscape or architectural design of the campus that suggests a way to reach there. Apart from how the Cobbenhagen building is hidden away to everyone, the auditorium inside it can only be accessed by passing through the Economics building. The Library can only be accessed by passing through a bridge spanning across the main axis, making it difficult for the physically challenged. The entry or exit to the restaurant is also not properly defined or inviting. The hedges in front of the restaurant adds a sense of mystery to the space, hence it programmatically confuses and excites a visitor. The circulation and zoning doesn’t go parallel as they cross each other at various places. The zoning of spaces is not heirarchical, but rather mixed, making it hard for wayfinding. The supporting vegetation on the other hand, is heirarchical to an extent, but leaves a lot of grey areas as to why they exist where they do. The use of trees, with use of hedges, shrubrs and hardscape also help in defining spaces in front or enclosing buildings, giving it it’s own space in the larger landscape. 161

Campus site adaptation of the structure of the forest.

162

3.5 Basic Form

of Tilburg Univeristy Campus

The basic form of the campus reveals another relation between the site and the forest. Instead of adapting to the structure of the surrounding residential area, the designer chose to adapt to the structure of the avenues in the historic forest. The main axis of that forest moves through the campus and touches the north side of the first placed buildings. All newer lines north and south are parallel to this one, up until the existing lines of the existing railway in the north and the Professor Grimbèrelaan to the south. The structure of the adjacent urban tissue is completely unrelated to this structure. This reinforces the relationship with the forest even more, even though it is not easy to perceive consciously. As you go southward on the campus site, the gridlines grow wider and wider apart. This is in accordance with the spatial experience: as you go southward, spaces feel larger.

163

Vegetation Layer

Topographical Layer

Building layer

Here you can see how different layers of the campus work together to create the total spacial form. It becomes clear how important the axis of the Universiteitslaan is for the structure of the entire campus. The axis binds together the entire programme and all buildings are perpendicular to it. Then, the tographical layer shows how height differences along the axis have this effect of tunneling and emphasizing this axis. Also here you can see how some buildings and vegetation get a ‘stage’ in the form of a mount. The vegetation layer furthermore shows how different spaces are filled up with different kinds of tree arrangement to create a hierarchy and diverseness among the campus. 164

3.6 Spatial Form

of Tilburg Univeristy Campus Axis Connecting all different buildings and zones, the axis is the backbone of the campus. The pruned Platanus trees and the characteristic lamp post that accompany this boulevard all the way through, unify this linear element. At the end of the axis, a walking bridge as the entry of the library marks the end. We think that the bridge was not necessary to make at all, but it is used as a landmark. Because the axis is relatively lower than it’s surroundings, some sort of tunneleffect is created, which is enhanced by the trees. When you get off the axis, it feels like entering a different space.

Tree arrangement make two similar spaces feel completely different

165

Parking lot Because cars are not very desirable in the foresty image of the campus, a couple of smart design principles where applied to ‘hide’ the cars from the forest view. First, the parking lot is lowered to about 1.5 - 2 meters. This means that from a distance, you will look right over it. Second, they made it on the edge of the existing forest, which makes for a nice background that dominates the image of cars. Finally, the other sides are planted with trees that are also in the forest. This blocks more views from the parking lot, and show the relationship between the campus site and the adjacent forest. On a more practical note, the trees chosen for the parking lot itself are oaks. This might not have been the best choice, because the falling acorns can cause dents in the cars.

Sunken car park hides the cars from the line of sight

166

Square in front of the Economics building This is the most lively square of the campus site. The large pine trees emphasize the size of the building while the high and transparent canopy preserve the feeling of a large open space. They really give a sense of depth to space. The pine trees are placed on top of small, man-made hills so the roots are relatively drier. The monumental oaks emphasize the historical character of the place. Along the sides smaller trees like Gleditsia provide the terraces with some cover. In the back, you can see the edge of the forest, which makes an appealing background.

Smaller trees make the terraces on both sides more intimate, pine trees compliment the Economics building.

167

Forested linear pathway. Monumentale bomenrondleidingen Oude Warande. (2017).

Natural forest cluster ambience of De Oude Warande. Google Maps Street View. 168

3.7 Image Form

of Tilburg Univeristy Campus The image form can be understood through the relationship between man and the landscape. The image form of western part of Tilburg campus is the forested natural landscape of the adjacent De Oude Warande. The De Oude Warande has a strong geometry with 6 directional axis pathway branching out from the center. These long linear pathway in the forest is well shaded and creates a tunnel vision. It is being adopted by Tilburg University boulevard of Platanus hispanica. Also the natural forest boundary of the west TIlburg campus is a strong adaptation of the qualities of the De Oude Warande. There are also many instances of reference to the De Oude Warande like the forest cluster beside the library. Meanwhile in the eastern side of Tilburg University, the area exceeds the forest boundary and becomes a threshold to the urban centre. The image form of the east campus area resembles an urban landscape of Tilburg centrum. The brick paving material and tessellation pattern from the Central was adopted to the boulevard of the university. The absence of big trees in the huge plaza entrance of the university gives emphasis to the massive concrete building, bringing about an urban ambience. Also, the boulevard serves as a cultural axis with signature lamppost lining along the entire stretch creating unity in the campus.

Hardscape. Tilburg, center. (2011). 169

170

Conclusion

Composition

The design for the campus reflects the ideas about outdoor space over time. This shift in ideology was uncovered through the analysis of the 4 formsBasic, Programme, Spatial and Image. Each of these forms shows different aspects of the University design through different lens and across different periods. In the 1960’s, when the design was made, the English garden style was very popular and the site was designed as such. When the University needed to expand, the need for a more rational structure was needed and the campus shifted more towards a conservational ideology of natural preservation. This was when the axis was introduced tying together plots of natural planting and programmatic spaces.

171

172

4. SYNTHESIS

173

174

In conclusion, responding to the main question for this critique: “What is the relationship between planting, perception and composition in the design of the campus site of Tilburg University?” we can say in general that the planting and the composition together define what there is physically, and the perception is an interpretation of this. The way we perceive a place can be misleading. This has been shown by the cognitive maps we made. In the evaluation of these maps, often mistakes are made in estimating size, over-emphasizing certain landmarks or missing out on elements that may be very present. By analysing composition and planting arrangements, we try to explain how our perception can be different from reality. This cognitive map unveils how people understand, recognise the space and find their way around the campus, serving as an intermediate link between design and user’s experience. Having a deeper understanding of the importance of perception in the implementation of a design, we looked at a specific user group- the wheelchair users to understand how the same landscape design might be perceived differently. From the analysis, we understand that specific requirements and conditions of a wheelchair user lead to an emphasis of certain aspects of their surroundings and they perceive the accessibility of the site differently. They have a different sensorial experience too. In general, the plantings at the campus of Tilburg University are arranged complementary to the composition, and help create a certain hierarchy in this compositional system. For example, a large space in front of a large building (in this case the School of Economics and Management) is complimented by large trees. In this example Pinus sylvestris trees where used, which have a very high canopy. In result, the largeness of the building is emphasized while still preserving the large space. In terms of perception, this means that the space and the building feel larger than they actually are. 175

Another example are the many terraces and picnic spots in the campus site. Generally these are smaller spaces, which for people sitting and eating is more comfortable. These spaces are often complimented by the planting arrangements. They are often enclosed by hedges, or have smaller trees or trees with a lower canopy. The size of the planting used is within human perceivable range, allowing a sense of comfort in the space. The next example is the Universiteitslaan, which as an axis forms the backbone of the total composition, connecting all of the different functions. The axis is lower than the ground level, so that it forms a long, linear space. Again, the plantings are complimentary in this. The strict, pruned Platanus trees emphasise the linearity of this space, and even create a tunneling effect. In terms of perception this means that the axis feels longer than it actually is, and the focus remains within the axis. This design principle is used in Tilburg to make the residential areas next to the campus less present. (also, we can talk about how this axis is relatable to the axis of the star forest, a hint of the basic form). Planting arrangement help users to relate to the different layers of the campus. Eg: the forest cluster planting on a slightly raised mound beside the library builds upon the image form and brings reference to the historical layer of the campus by drawing reference to the adjacent forest. As the university and the number of students started to increase, expansion was needed. The campus site expanded to the north, with the Warande, library and Prisma building, until they ‘hit the ceiling’ which was the railroad track. After this, expansion started in eastern direction with the Simon and Montesqieu building. The Warande forest never reached this far, so this part of the campus was built outside of the green framework. This framework is very important in the image and unification of the campus site, and building outside of it left the new part feeling like an Appendix. The measures taken to overcome this are found in structure and materialization. The infrastructural axis that cuts through the campus ‘Universiteitslaan’ is expanded in eastern direction. This structurally connects the two sites but also because this axis refers to the axis in the adjacent forest, there is still an invisible reference to this forest. Furthermore, the materials used in this expansion (paving, lamp posts, planting) is the same as at the original campus. This helps in unifying both campus sites. We can only speculate on why the expansion did not take place in western direction. This is where the Warande forest is, so in this direction the green 176

framework could have been expanded together with the spacial structure and infrastructure, and the expansion would probably be more unified with the campus. We assume that this is because the Warande forest has too much historical value and need to be preserved. The green space around the Cobbenhagen building is very beautiful, and makes a great space for the students and staff to rest in between classes. What is peculiar is that this space is sort of ‘cut off’ of the rest of the campus site. It is physically accessible, but not visually accessible nor prominent. From the serial visions, the large buildings in front of it and narrow, around-the-corner paths leading towards it are not very inviting. The question is if this is a bad thing or not. On the contrary, this means that the green area remains quiet and peaceful. Users do get a hint of some sort of park being there, because of sneak peeks of green. Finally, we can say that we think that the composition of the Tilburg University campus site fits in properly with the (existing) vegetation. It feels more as a campus in the forest than just a campus with some trees. The existing vegetation is large and creates the illusion the campus site itself is very old, while it is only sixty years old. Newly added vegetations eg. along the axis and terraces create a sense of spatial hierarchy and help orient the users. Apart from the part of the campus that is really structured and easy to navigate, there is also the lush, green part where you can wander about and relax. design really strikes a great balance here. We extracted a lot of design principles from analysing the Tilburg University campus, which in our opinion makes a proper design. The question we want to leave you with is: are these principles applicable for every campus site yet to be designed or do they work specifically for the Tilburg University campus?

END. 177

References

(conform APA-norm) Images: Monumentale bomenrondleidingen Oude Warande. (2017). [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.tilburgsekoerier.nl/wijknieuws/monumentalebomenrondleidingen-oude-warande Google Street View. (n.d.). Google Maps [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/maps/ @51.5635831,5.033724,3a,60y,108.86h,99.56t/ data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWPIq7apfnomJEuiRR4D3Ug!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Tilburg, center. (2011). [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.nlwandel.nl/ Album/GW-Tilburg-174/slides/02+Tilburg,+centrum.html Clifford, A History of Garden design, (New York:Praeger) 1963:17. By Upper Rhenish Master - The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=155256 de Wit, S. (2019), TU Delft AR1LA021 Architecture and Landscape: Theory, Method and Critical Thinking (2019/20 Q1) Lecture, 10 Sept 2019. from Roman de la Rose (15th century) Hortus contemplationis: medieval monastery’s internal, rectangular garden. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.historiasztuki.com.pl/ strony/007-01-00-HISTORIA-OGRODOW-eng.html GetYourGuide. (n.d.). Vaux le Vicomte Castle t [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/vaux-le-vicomte-castle-day-tickett153405/?utm_force=0 Joachim Mullenbrock, H. (n.d.). The English Landscape Garden of the Eighteenth Century and the Role of Literature [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/edoc/ia/eese/artic26/garden/4_2006.html 178

Barker, C. (2007). The Divine Proportion [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://layersmagazine.com/the-divine-proportion.html References: de Wit, S., & Aben, R. (1998). De omsloten tuin (2e druk). Rotterdam: Uitgeverij 010. Houtman, R. (2009). Van Den Berk About Trees. Netherlands: van den Berk Nurseries. Monroy, B. (2007, 7 maart). Layers. Geraadpleegd op 15 oktober 2019, van https://layersmagazine.com/the-divine-proportion.html Steenhuis , M. (2008). Pieter Buys - Maken en Laten (1ste editie). Rotterdam: nai010. Tilburg University . (2019). Tilburg University: Top 50 worldwide in business, economics, law and psychology | Tilburg University. Retrieved October 13, 2019, from https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/ Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (2005). Preference, restoration and meaningful action in the context of nearby nature. In Barlett, P. (Ed.), Urban Place: Reconnecting with the Natural World. Cambridge - The MIT Press, 271–298. Lecture: van Dorst, M. J. (2019, September 20). https://brightspace.tudelft.nl/d2l/le/ content/192611/viewContent/1547315/View [Dataset]. Retrieved October 18, 2019, from https://brightspace.tudelft.nl/d2l/le/ content/192611/viewContent/1547315/View

179

180

181

182