Project Description

Kanaleneiland is a thoroughly discussed district. Problems address the dilapidated state of the district and the predominating lower social-economic status of the inhabitants of Kanaleneiland. Nonetheless the area has much potential to set a better standard for Kanaleneiland as a multi-cultural living environment. Goal is to mix the current inhabitants with more people from a higher social-economic status.

Interaction

To stimulate more social interaction, in respect to the socially active cultures represented, a clear arrangement of better defined spaces and a gradual transition between the public and private is proposed. These spaces will provide the inhabitants variety in the control over interaction. The passive program in the plinth facing the street-side will change to a program of studios for a balanced combination of living, working and commerce. The space in between the blocks is divided into an approximately 1.5 meter lifted space and a parking garage underneath, both connected to the entrances of the blocks. The lifted semi-public field in central of the area, which is now better visible from the adjacent apartments on first floor is connected to the street with a slope, defining the transition between public and semi-public. The fields to the other sides are designed as collective spaces, introducing here a new level of interaction.

Density

Kanaleneiland is among the most widespread urban layouts of Utrecht. The amount of unbuilt groundspace is gigantic compared to the built groundspace. The new development area is a perfect location for a higher density creating a strong visual boundary for the district as well as for the city itself. By combining the goal to increase density and to mix users from various social-economical classes extra program is added, offering a variety of apartments for rent and sale with various sizes and spatial configurations. To increase density in the area the buildings are programmatically and technically flexible to future expansion.

Urban intervention

The urban interventions will result in better programmatic connections, better arranged and better defined public spaces and eminent green. The new buildings will perform as a strong visual boundary for the district as well as for the city itself, they present new architectural shape and space and a variety of different apartments to Kanaleneiland. The introduction of a gradually changing transition from public to private including collective spaces should stimulate social interaction implying a better social control.

In fine, the model consists of all the ingredients for revitalizing Kanaleneiland to become a beautiful attractive location to its dwellers and to the rest of the citizens of Utrecht.

Project by Jos van Heerde, Rutger Kuipers & Rudi Nieveen