Building in the countryside
Building in the countryside encounters much societal resistance because we assume it always comes at the expense of existing green value. But is this assumption justified? While the countryside may look green, over the span of half a century, it has slowly transformed into an ecological desert due to intensive livestock farming and arable agriculture.
Climate change strengthens this effect.
It is therefore time for a more proactive approach to the countryside and the value it represents. Construction should, due to its economic transformative power, be part of this approach.
Climate change strengthens this effect.
It is therefore time for a more proactive approach to the countryside and the value it represents. Construction should, due to its economic transformative power, be part of this approach.
Green through red
The discussion about red (buildings) and green (nature) is highly polarized: nature comes at the expense of construction. But is that really the case? It should be possible to combine 'red and green'—to create buildings that actually add landscape and ecological value. Housing, on one hand, serves as a financial engine for restoring landscapes and biodiversity, while also bringing more Dutch people into daily contact with nature. Why isn’t construction more often combined with the production of food and resources? New forms of agriculture, using natural pest control and small-scale machinery, can be well integrated with housing. How wonderful would it be to live in a food forest or orchard!
It’s high time to view housing differently. Not as a necessary evil that only harms the landscape, but as a lever for the development of nature and landscapes.
It’s high time to view housing differently. Not as a necessary evil that only harms the landscape, but as a lever for the development of nature and landscapes.
Rooted architecture
Rooted architecture contributes to strengthening nature by seamlessly integrating buildings into their surroundings. This is achieved through the use of natural, plant-based materials such as reed, hemp, flax, and wood, which are harvested locally. It also involves processing waste streams from food production into sustainable building materials.
By applying green roofs, organic shapes, and a smooth transition from the roof to the ground, a natural landscape is created, where animals can freely move over and around the building. Nature is not removed, but rather restored. Rooted architecture is nature-inclusive and also provides nesting opportunities for birds, bats, and small mammals. In this way, a building can contribute to rich biodiversity and harmonious coexistence with its environment.
By applying green roofs, organic shapes, and a smooth transition from the roof to the ground, a natural landscape is created, where animals can freely move over and around the building. Nature is not removed, but rather restored. Rooted architecture is nature-inclusive and also provides nesting opportunities for birds, bats, and small mammals. In this way, a building can contribute to rich biodiversity and harmonious coexistence with its environment.
Agriculture-inclusive housing
With the growth of cities, the distance between people and the production of our food has increased. As a result, we are less connected to the value of our food and the impact of production on our landscape.
Moreover, this makes us vulnerable in times of crisis. In residential landscapes, food production plays an important role. By combining small-scale, ecological agriculture with housing, food production comes closer to people, and communities become more self-sufficient and resilient. It encourages participation in the production of one's own food and fosters connections within a community.
Combining housing, nature, and agriculture can serve as a transition model toward more sustainable and nature-inclusive agriculture, including new revenue models for farmers.
Moreover, this makes us vulnerable in times of crisis. In residential landscapes, food production plays an important role. By combining small-scale, ecological agriculture with housing, food production comes closer to people, and communities become more self-sufficient and resilient. It encourages participation in the production of one's own food and fosters connections within a community.
Combining housing, nature, and agriculture can serve as a transition model toward more sustainable and nature-inclusive agriculture, including new revenue models for farmers.
our efforts
projectLiving landscapes 3.0
In the Netherlands, urbanization, nature, and agriculture vie for precious space. There is a significant shortage of housing, biodiversity is under pressure, and agriculture needs to adapt. Is it possible to reconcile these challenges? Can we envision residential landscapes that are self-sustaining and accommodate organic food production, sustainable energy generation, and nature? A healthier, more sustainable, and more socially conscious living environment, where homes are constructed with natural materials sourced locally?
projectBezuiden Sluis
Bezuiden Sluis is an urban planning project for a climate-adaptive neighborhood located along the Hoge Maasdijk in Woudrichem. The area is situated outside the dikes and experiences fluctuating water levels. Its unique location presents an exceptional opportunity to create a distinctive, dynamic residential community with housing types that respond to the movement of water. This alternative approach to construction allows for safe living in the floodplains while providing ample space for the river. By incorporating unique housing typologies such as dike houses, amphibious homes, and floating houses, the neighborhood can adapt to the changing water levels.
projectLiving Landscapes 2.0
In search of a green, child-friendly living environment and a healthy outdoor life, the majority of the Dutch live in a compromise: the suburb. Is it also possible to create living (and working) environments that generate landscape value instead of taking it away from the existing landscape? Where will the first residential landscape be realized that offers a nicer, more sustainable and more social alternative?
projectBiesbosch Museum Island
The museum has been completely transformed and extended with a new wing that opens to its beautiful surroundings and houses a restaurant and temporary exhibition space for contemporary art. The permanent exhibition that explains the historical development of the region has also been totally revamped. A large water model of the Biesbosch and a freshwater tidal park are also planned on the Museum Island. Building, interior, water model and freshwater tidal park were designed by Studio Marco Vermeulen, and the exhibition was designed by Studio Joyce Langezaal.
projectThe Hart of the Purmer
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Region has a housing target of 200,000 homes by 2040. A significant portion of these will be built in municipalities surrounding Amsterdam, such as Purmerend. In the eastern flank of the municipality of Purmerend, there is space for approximately 5,000 to 6,000 homes. The proposal, Heart of the Purmer, outlines how these homes can be developed while preserving the cultural and historical character of the polder, enhancing the ecology, and using plant-based building materials.