Greunzicht plot 25 Groenpoort Veenendaal
This landscape integration plan places strong emphasis on the connection between the built environment and nature, with the aim of creating a sustainable, attractive, and functional living environment. By creating a courtyard between the buildings, we aim to emphasize this visual connection and extend it into a literal green pathway. Residents can walk through the garden via a flower-filled route, connecting them to the neighborhood. This diverse green landscape consists of trees, shrubs, perennials, and aquatic plants. We will create paths and meeting places where necessary and desirable, but our main focus is on greenery! Greenery cools the environment, makes people happier, and is essential for enhancing biodiversity.
In line with the modern appearance and scale of the buildings, we plan to frame the garden with four large green areas. Upon entering the courtyard through a wide entrance, your view immediately extends toward the green neighborhood of Groenpoort. On the neighborhood side, which is more urban, a staircase is integrated with long seating elements and green planting areas, allowing residents to easily access the neighborhood or sit on the elevated seating edges, functioning as a city balcony overlooking the area.
In the central meeting place, which includes spaces for sports and play, there will also be a water feature. This shallow water area will house aquatic plants and provide a habitat for many animals. Stepping stones across the water create an informal route. Water literally brings life to the garden and is always pleasant to look at! Surrounding the building blocks, a mix of trees, shrubs, and ground covers will be planted. These trees and shrubs form a buffer zone to the neighboring plot’s parking area. This more modest green frame ensures that the more vibrant inner garden stands out. As a result, different nature zones emerge around the homes, offering variation in height, color, and function.
The central entrances to the garden and apartments are connected by a wide path, making the main route clear and accessible. Windows and balconies will be tucked behind the vegetation, ensuring privacy. The entrance is given a sense of grandeur with wide stairs and integrated ramps, bordered by green elements. This makes the elevated courtyard easily accessible for people with disabilities and those with strollers. In addition, the main paths are flat and made of semi-paved surfaces to ensure accessibility. The deck area is pedestrian-only, but bicycle use is encouraged, with parking for bikes available at ground level near the entrance.
Landscape functions
The green wedges in the garden will rise, creating clean and subtle elevation changes. In the higher areas, there will be room for larger plant materials, such as trees or multi-stemmed shrubs. The raised areas will also serve as seating edges in the central part of the garden. Play elements and fitness equipment will be placed in the central square, as well as in parts of the garden, providing space for both adults and children to move freely. Benches around the area will offer space for relaxation. A network of secondary paths and stepping stones will allow for more informal walks through the garden.
Zoning
Around and between the buildings, various landscape types and functions will be found. The apartments will be surrounded by ground cover plants, with taller plantings toward the edges to create privacy for residents. Functional elements like access to the parking garage and a semi-open maintenance path for the homes will also be integrated here.
In the elevated courtyard, a mix of functions and plantings will be present. By creating various zones in the rooftop or inner garden, we can accommodate both more active and more tranquil areas. The central part will be focused on social interaction, but throughout all zones, both humans and animals can enjoy a range of aquatic plants, colorful perennials, and shrubs, along with a more natural area featuring large pieces of dead wood.
Planting
The urban development plan of Groenpoort advises selecting tree species that contribute to local biodiversity. Therefore, we propose using species that are beneficial to bees and birds, with varied blooming periods. We suggest planting a mix of solitary trees along the outer edges, such as horse chestnuts, hawthorns, and rowan trees, which provide nectar and pollen and serve as a food source for birds. In the courtyard, a single large tree will form the focal point of the garden, while smaller trees (e.g., Tetradium daniellii, also known as the bee tree) and flowering shrubs (e.g., privet, hawthorn, etc.) will contribute to biodiversity. Maintaining views from the courtyard to the surroundings remains a key consideration.
In addition to the courtyard and green outer boundary, greenery will also be integrated into the façade planters. A mix of ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, and hanging plants will be used. These plantings are designed to offer a year-round visual appeal and provide food for insects. In the summer, we propose plants like Verbena bonariensis, Lythrum salicaria, Leucanthemum vulgare, and Origanum, while in autumn, species such as Sedum, Liatris, and Aster would be used. The ornamental grasses (e.g., Pennisetum) are drought-tolerant, add a lush appearance to the building, and retain their structure during the winter. The diversity of flowers will bring a sense of cohesion to all the green areas around the building and its surroundings.
Project
Greunzicht plot 25 Groenpoort Veenendaal
Year
2024
Client
Municipality Veenendaal
Collaboration
Bouwbedrijf Van Ree B.V. and TVA architects
Area
2970 m2
Location
Veenendaal
