Europan – Groningen, Netherlands

The project has since become a Dutch national pilot scheme for sustainable urban renewal. 

Regarding housing, the project delivers an extensive range of housing choices that vary according to orientation, to access and to how they relate to existing buildings. The blocks are ‘opened up’ to form a sequence of inter-connected collective ‘parochial’ spaces that range from courtyards and roof terraces to belvederes, courtyards and private gardens. The multi-layering of activities and landscape offers an alternative to the interiorized and hermetic world of the traditional urban block. 

To create a vibrant neighbourhood centre with amenities and civic plazas, retail and commercial space are introduced into the project, seamlessly tucked underneath a stepped ground surface. Above the retail space, housing with their own private front doors is accessed by a multi-levelled collective courtyard space that makes a seamless transition from the street to the upper levels. 

Location

CoBoGa terrain, Groningen, Netherlands 

Client

Development Consortium IMA, ING Vastgoed, Amstelland Ontwikkeling, Bouwbedrijf Moes BV, Nijestee Vastgoed, Amvrest Vastgoed. 

Architects

Studio Woodreoffe\Papa (UK/NL)+ Burton Hamfelt (UK), Christopher Moller (NZ) 

Program

145 houses and apartments+4,500 m2 retail and commercial space+ 300 underground parking spaces 

Surface

1.3 ha 

Completed

2003 

More information: 

1. https://www.europan-europe.eu/en/project-and-processes/fortuitous-filtration 
2. https://www.woodroffepapa.com/schots-12 

Europan is shaping the idea of a Europe of the young architectural, urban and landscape design by federating European countries around competitions of urban-architectural projects and professional exchanges in these fields of design. Europan does so within the framework of the sustainable city and the qualitative changes that it operates, and taking into consideration the economy of resources, new mobilities and the enhancement of natural spaces.