Horstermeerpolder, Midden-Nederland
A landscape with a secret: landscape plan for the Horstermeerpolder
The Nieuwe Horstermeer, a future from the New Dutch Waterline.
The Horstermeerpolder is a highly dynamic area, inhabited by an innovative and hard working population. As one of the few places available for development in the Vecht Plassen Area it has become home to hundreds of small businesses focused along its main road. At the same time whole scale nature development and water storage combinations were planning to transform large areas of the polder for new use. We quickly realised that the qualities which defined this cultural historical landscape would be quickly eroded by new development of all kinds if these processes weren’t guided to reinforce and reflect the spatial characteristics of the Line. The idea of bill boarding recreational networks with ‘here is’ would soon become ‘here was’, if nothing was done to protect the intrinsic values of the Line as a total entity.
The production polder (companies + housing + agriculture)
The residential and business environment in the Horstermeerpolder fits in like no other with the character of a production polder where pragmatics and entrepreneurial spirit are paramount. The Middenweg remains the access road for residents and companies. The subdivision perpendicular to the Middenweg makes it possible to densify the buildings in a zone along this road with a few rules. This allows business to continue to develop and interesting new living environments to emerge. In addition to the agricultural holdings still present, there is an increasing need for small-scale agricultural-related activities in the polder. Part of the polder can be developed for this purpose on a small scale. The allotment and the long lines of the polder are exploited.
The relaxing polder (nature + recreation)
In the new development plan, the ring dike and the water square are strengthened as spatial structuring elements. The water along the ring dike will be widened, the profile of the dike will be strengthened and the dike will be made accessible for tourist use. The ring dike therefore becomes a clear boundary along the edge of the polder and a landscape support for the polder. A new water storage system linked to this ring dike improves the water quality of the Vechtplassen area, which is created by the water-absorbing effect of the deeper polder. This area creates a highly dynamic water system with a reed marsh as a nature reserve. The openness of the polder is maintained, the contrast with the surrounding lakes remains present and a constant dynamic between wet and dry is created. The water square, in the middle of the polder, is made accessible and spatially visible with recreational paths and a double row of trees.
Client: Incentive Fund for Architecture In collaboration with Project Bureau New Dutch Waterline
Team:Redscape :Patrick McCabe, Machiel Spaan (M3H Architecten) En Natascha Van Den Ban
Status: Completed