Park Vogelenzang is a monumental ensemble of care buildings from the previous century, arranged along the geometry of a central axis and immersed in an ancient landscape on the edge of a beach ridge. The self-sufficient psychiatric institution, with the old water tower situated at the highest point, still consists of the former main building, a clinic for men and one for women, and a towering church. These buildings are undergoing transformation and will be accompanied by approximately 250 new homes.
Open spaces and landscape features are becoming increasingly valuable in the bustling Randstad area. In Park Vogelenzang, these features are cherished. The site, located on the inner dune edge with a rare inner dune forest and beautiful park woodland, has its origins as a 16th-century country estate. However, due to the establishment in 1924 of the institution site with corresponding buildings designed by A.T. Kraan, it has been designated as a municipal monument. What makes this place unique is that buildings, urban planning, and landscape were all designed by the same architect.
Changes in healthcare have reduced the intensity of the site’s original use. The old ‘Geestgronden’ are transitioning from a monofunctional psychiatric care site to an area where there is room for various functions. Both the landscape and the monumental buildings from the 1920s will be preserved. New homes will be integrated with utmost care. Space will be reserved on the site for the most vulnerable group of patients in need of long-term care.
The landscape forms the basis for the redevelopment: a green residential area where the healthcare function on the site is preserved through a ‘soft zoning,’ and there is space for small-scale catering and retail. Ancient tree structures are safeguarded from construction. The Urban Development Plan outlines the conditions within which a gradual transformation can take place organically. This is achieved by establishing a sustainable landscape framework. This framework includes the forest, the open space of the central axis, green park-like areas, the water of the Leidsevaart canal, and the existing avenue.
The building plots form the counterpoint to the landscape framework. Construction can then be realized flexibly within well-defined development areas. The total area of the development areas covers 15.7 hectares, equivalent to about 41% of the total planned area. These areas include both the buildings to be preserved and the opportunities for new construction on the site. In this way, Park Vogelenzang is divided into 8 sub-areas. For example, we choose to allow only small-scale, low-rise housing along the Leidsevaart, north of our own healthcare cluster. This fits the small-scale nature of that area. The monumental buildings must have ample space for a change of function. The original central axis is restored and becomes the heart of Park Vogelenzang. Connecting and staying are central to the project.
