Paradise Included
Type: Open Space Strategy Scope: Competition Entry Location:
Almere/NL Client: Ymere Housing Corporation Collaborator:
MBA/S Team: Stefan Werrer, Matthias Bauer, Biljana Vojinovic,
Bratislav Brankovic Size: 250.000 sqm Period: Apr - May
2005 Status: Ymere Award 2005, shortlisted
The competition brief challenged contestants to develop a vision regarding
the arrangement of a (suburban) landscape in a new type of public green
space: the Stadstuinen or Town Gardens in Almere Hout. The Stadstuinen
accommodate some 100 archaeological sites. In this set-up, these sites
are protected and assigned a (recreational) function.
Paradise included offers an open space concept that reflects
on activities and events of the earlier periods. It connects the contemporary
nature of the Stadstuinen with the historical landscape.
Paradise included offers a process of implementation with phases
that can serve multiple purposes. To advertise, structure and complement
the process of urban development the stadstuinen create a spatial framework
within low-density areas. The combination of differentiated milieus
with additional meaningful spaces has a high potential to establish
addresses of neighbourhood identities. A touristic infrastructure with
attractions both on the level of a large network and on the level of
single highly interesting places is part of a physical framework for
orientation and future development as an alternative to the system
of traffic infrastructure.
Paradise included envisions a programming of the gardens that
is reflecting the past as an inspiration for future activities and
events. The idea of transscripts Ð dutch words in present perfect that
describe and provoke activities. The transscripts appear imprinted
on the inside and outside of the perimeter walls and appeal to the
imagination of the users.
