Dal van de Goorloop

2008 - 2010

The valley of Goorloop connects the southern and northern landscapes of Helmond. It is like a skeg, running into the city through the countryside. The skeg doesn’t divide but reconnects everything. For the redesign of the Goorloop valley, we sought inspiration from the famous countryside of Brabant, which remains are still visible in the area. The main characteristic of this landscape is the large number of rows of alder trees. Remnants of these avenues are still visible here and there in the valley of Goorloop. The alder rows are the main tools with which the landscape was formed.

The desired robust conections, ecological-, hydrological- and recreational- take place in this landscape. In addition the relationship between the surrounding neighbourhoods and the valley is being strengthened. This way The Goorloop can be considered part of the city. The boundary between urban and rural is softened, the valley is moving into the city and the city focuses on the valley. The atmosphere of the valley is largely defined by the scenic quality of its edges. Not only do they provide continuity of the valley but they are the link between the city and the countryside.

Through a balanced design with a good mix of public versus private and open versus enclosed, we pursue to raise awareness about the edges for a proper finalization of the Goorloop valley. Where urban interventions caused loops or where the city is turning its back on the valley, that is where the edges are most sensitive. Appropriate housing has to be placed in the valley so the overall quality of the landscape would improve. The new homes overlook the valley and thus contribute to the adhesion of the city with the valley. The entrance to the house and the private use of the land take place at the backside. Living on the edge of the city means living on the edge of the Goorloop valley.

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