A project to transform a former military base into a green housing estate has been completed. The design for the changes was prepared by architects from the MVRDV studio in cooperation with the green design studio Buro Harro and the developer KondorWessels. Former barracks, warehouses and other military buildings have been converted to become comfortable places to live.
The site of the old German military base has undergone a total metamorphosis. The former base is located on the outskirts of the eastern city of Arnhem with a population of 150 000. Part of the old infrastructure has been preserved and redeveloped, creating a unique settlement of single and multi-family homes. They are all distinguished by their original design. This is no copy-and-paste housing development. In total, the estate consists of 21 buildings. In addition to the old and reconstructed architecture, three new, sustainable residential buildings have been constructed on the estate.
A base for soldiers was built near the Deelen military airfield. The concrete military bunkers were camouflaged as outbuildings to avoid giving away their true purpose. The masking of the infrastructure was helped by the growing nature. It is a biologically valuable area that today is protected by Natura 2000.
Some of the brick buildings of the former base were also protected, but with conservation. Those built by the Germans have remained unchanged. This can be seen in the house, which was built in the outline of the old brick structure with a gabled roof. In contrast, the brick buildings that were already built after the Second World War have been transformed by inserting doors and windows.
An unusual aspect of the Buitenplaats Koningsweg estate is that the buildings that have been constructed here have been designed in such a way as to conceal their true purpose. How can contemporary interventions draw attention to their history? Our answer was to make the changes legible. A clear distinction between old, new and reconstructed elements, along with details such as the metre-thick bunker walls, says Nathalie de Vries of MVRDV.
Respect for nature can be seen at every turn here. The greenery grows freely and is not pruned or artificially shaped. The treatment of the greenery is limited only to the construction of narrow paths between the greenery.
Interestingly, some of the buildings are not permanently inhabited. Eleven cottages in the northern part of the establishment have been built as rental houses. Their unique appearance is the result of an organised architectural competition. The architectural studio MVRDV, on the other hand, was responsible for the designs of three new buildings, each consisting of seven terraced houses.
source: MVRDV
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