With the team of Slokker vastgoed bv, Novaform Real Estate Developers, Team V architecture, DS and the Men of Foam, we created a vision of the task for sub-plan Kazernekwartier of the Crailo hamlet. Although we did not win the tender, we are proud of our result.
Less than 10 percent of today’s teens played in nature as children. This while nature experience has been proven to contribute to physical and mental health, social interaction and respectful treatment of the environment. Because everyone deserves to experience nature and stimulate the senses, we are focusing on nature experience in the development of the former Crailo barracks site.
Guiding principles
This is how we make an extraordinary place!
1. The landscape is guiding
“The landscape surface determines the spatial design”
We apply this within the fields. The configuration of houses and apartment buildings follows the lines of the landscape and preserves as much as possible the existing trees, plants and undergrowth.
2. Outdoor living takes center stage
“Living with the landscape and with nature is guiding the design of the home in its surroundings.”
At Buitenplek Crailo you live outside, in the middle of nature. The homes are clustered in a way that leaves as much nature as possible. They have a relatively small private outdoor space. In return, residents benefit from mature forest that feels like your own backyard from the home.
3. Nurturing the heritage
“Relicts of military history are made visible throughout the hamlet and prompt special design”
The barracks/army buildings will be transformed into residential and commercial spaces with a restorative approach. The original character will be maintained as much as possible, and new additions such as balconies and dormers incorporated with respect for the existing architecture. The Mess (The Mess is the former kitchen building) will be partially preserved, with the characteristic forecourt and chimneys as eye-catchers. Part of the wings will be demolished and replaced by new construction. The new construction is overtly new but understated, and matches the existing buildings in terms of building materials. In this way, the historic buildings are shown off to their best advantage and we reinforce the typical orthogonal layout of the site.
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