Public space in the city: Nicolaas Beetsplein of NL Architects

The Oud Krispijn district in Dordrecht was created as a garden city in 1932. By today’s standards it was lacking in spaces for leisure activities, and so a housing block was demolished to free up to the land required to create a new leisure centre for all ages.

The project is designed in concentric zones developing from more private places in the corners toward the public space in the centre. The area is designed with greenery, benches and trees, then a 3D lawn, followed by a cement ring painted orange and, finally, a paved circle containing 3 playing fields: soccer, basketball and volleyball. In winter the latter two fields can be converted into skating rinks.

The cement ring is 3 metres wide and follows the course of the green artificial hills, dividing them into three segments intended for different age ranges: an area to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun, a children’s playground with a slide and a small rock-climbing gym, and the Bike Slide.

The neighbourhood now has a new gathering-place where children and teenagers can have fun close to home.


Design: NL Architects with DS Landschapsarchitecten, http://www.nlarchitects.nl/
NL Architects: Pieter Bannenberg, Walter van Dijk, Kamiel Klaasse
DS Landschapsarchitecten: Jana Crepon
Location: Dordrecht, NL
Photographs: Courtesy of NL Architects, http://www.nlarchitects.nl/
Related links: BasketBar: http://www.floornature.com/blog/basketbar-andndash-living-the-city-nl-architects-7936/ Blok K, Funenpark: http://www.floornature.com/blog/blok-k-funenpark-residential-building-in-amsterdam-7779/, Das Netz - Urban Space Regained: http://www.floornature.com/blog/urban-space-regained-andldquodas-netzandrdquo-in-berlin-nl-architects-7700/, Interview with Kamiel Klaasse: http://www.floornature.com/architects/interviews/kamiel-klaasse-nl-architects-7703/

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