The Grid, Utrecht 06/2009
entry for Europan 10, in collaboration with Adam Scales
The assignment for this project was asking for an intervention that would revitalize the socially and spatially problematic area of Kanaleneiland in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Our approach was based on a criticism of the urban and architectonic set-up executed in the late 1960's regarding the relationship between the individual dwellers and the common spaces. We realize that architecture alone could not solve the issues of unemployment, segregation, security and lack of quality in the living environment. But we believe that the organization of space influences the manner in which social and economic behaviors take place. It is in these terms that we hope to make architecture and urban design that can take part in making the regeneration of this area possible.
Despite its shortcomings, the robustness of the rational grid and fixed pattern of buildings provides the ultimate possibility for maintaining clear structure while allowing a wide diversity of environments to co-exist. In parallel with the re-visitation of the urban grid, the buildings have been left in their original locations but stripped down to their essential grid structure and then reworked to provide greater complexity and specificity in the types and forms of inhabitation they provide. In this way a wider diversity of dwelling types is made available for a broader demographic to move into the area and for the current inhabitants to grow and evolve in their own neighborhood.
From the masterplan to the individual unit a new hierarchy of private, group, common and public spaces is introduced in-between the current public - private divide; inviting, supporting and at times demanding varying degrees of involvement, belonging and ownership. It is in this way that we believe architecture and urban design can best participate in and contribute to the social economic regeneration of the area.
urban diagram
roads network
parking
green areas
sports
public gardens
special zones
masterplan
section-existing situation
section-introduction of parking
section-access via new deck
section-building expansion
aerial view, Northern area
section, Northern area
ground floor plan, Northern area
deck level plan, Northern area
roof plan, Northern area
deck view
aerial view, Southern area
section, Southern area
ground floor plan, Southern area
deck level plan, Southern area
view of the garages, Southern area
view of the parking level