Transformation of the clearly demarcated area Polderweggebied. The name of the area refers to the fact that it is a part of a polder. The main direction in the urban grid is determined by the direction of the former canals and ditches.
Between 1885 and 1923 the Polderweggebied was used by the Oostergasfabriek, a gas factory, which in addition to leaving behind a number of industrial monuments also left polluted soil. The noise produced by the trains that pass by is a restricting factor, due to the fact that it is not legally permitted to develop housing in an area in which the noise level rises over 70 dB(A).

The design is characterized by three big buildings that match with the scale and typology of the industrial monuments. By making big objects, in which the entire program has been solved, the special quality of this part of the city is maintained. This typology makes a clear distinction between public and private space, and makes it possible to manipulate built an un-built surface. Doing so the public space generated makes people feel save and give them the possibility to meet, or avoid each other.

Design team: Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten