23
© Fred Oosterhuis
HOGEKWARTIER CITY DISTRICT, NETHERLANDS KCAP
Last month saw the completion of a new district, the Hogekwartier, in Amersfoort, Netherlands. In 2008, KCAP designed the masterplan for this city district, commissioned by housing corporation De Alliantie and the municipality. The neighbourhood had to meet a number of requirements: the partially built-up site had to be transformed into an affordable residential area, surrounded by public spaces and greenery; and the design had to provide Amersfoort with a proper ‘entry,’ and improve the traffic flow between the city centre and the A28 highway. The masterplan was part of a larger operation to sustainably renovate and renew the existing social housing stock in Amersfoort.
The Hogekwartier lies between Liendert and Schuilenburg, and is located on both sides of a busy traffic artery that connects the city centre to the highway. KCAP designed a raised, intersecting axis (“de Buurtas”) which creates a “compact intersection,” as a result, “transiting traffic moves underground, local traffic stays overhead,” explained the architects. The Buurtas provides the district with a centre, flanked by a gateway of apartment blocks, where the new Amerena swimming and sports complex is located.
The central area of het Hogekwartier comprises small-scale urban blocks with different typologies, mainly single-family houses with a garden; and a series of connected green, public spaces. Along the Valleikanaal waterway, four towers – set on a plinth of low-rise buildings – mark the transition to the city centre. A ‘wetland corridor’ connects the Valleikanaal to the water catchment area east of the city. The green-blue structure of the Hogekwartier aims to reduce air pollution, noise pollution and heat stress. Of the 820 homes, 309 are social rentals, and more than 60% of the owner-occupied houses are covered by the ‘National Mortgage Warranty’.
INNOVATION QNS, NEW YORK SWA/BALSLEY
As part of the recently approved masterplan by SWA/Balsley, ‘Innovation QNS’ – a “community- driven plan for a walkable 24/7 mixed-use creative district” – will provide Astoria, Queens residents with a range of community amenities, forming an “inclusive public realm network of diverse open space experiences.”
The project will “breathe new life into a low density corner of the neighbourhood,” said the architects, and was recently approved by New York City Council.
© ODA
Spanning five city blocks, the project represents a rare opportunity to deliver housing, jobs, parks, and other public amenities “at a district-wide scale.” The project will include two acres of open space, community facilities, and 3,200 units of housing, more than 45% of which will be affordable. SWA/ Balsley collaborated closely with ODA, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silverstein Properties, and BedRock Real Estate Partners to create the masterplan.
ADF MARCH 2023
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
