Bart van Pinxteren

Gemeenschap Duin en Bosch

Community Duin en Bosch


At the start of the 20th century, psychiatric areas were built throughout the Netherlands. These are beautiful places designed as utopian communities in the landscape. Over the years, psychiatry has changed and these areas have largely become vacant. As a result, these areas are currently being transformed into residential areas, in which only a small part of the care function is kept. I grew up next to one of these sites in Castricum and have seen this transformation up close.

This transformation does not do justice to the beautiful landscape in which the building is built. In addition, there is no response to the utopian principles of the original function. As a result, the existing care program clashes with the new housing program and a hard separation is created between the two. Community Duin en Bosch is a reflection on this development and an investigation into how things can be done differently. An alternative to what is happening here.

In my graduation I create a new form of living that makes a connection between the original social structures and the surrounding nature. Within a co-living concept, a connection is made between extramural care and new communal housing.

The qualities of the landscape are used to situate the different communities. These communities are located in the places where nature opens up. They each react differently to the unique nature and scale of the place. This creates a network of communities.

Within these communities there is room for different groups to live side by side. The architecture contributes to a social structure that supports and promotes this. This is done by distinguishing between private and public. This provides spaces where you can isolate yourself from the group and spaces where the connection can be made with fellow residents. This is continued in the outdoor spaces and responds to the existing nature. The atmospheres of these private and public places determine the user's experience of the space. Thus investigate how architecture can support and strengthen life in co-living communities.

If there is no response to the original qualities of the social structure and nature, the problems that arise at Duin and Bosch will also arise in other areas. If this does not become a theme within the redevelopment of these kind of sites, the intended conditions and goals of 'integration of care' will not be achieved. My graduation is a reflection on what is currently happening in Duin en Bosch. It responds to the existing problem and shows an alternative how to deal with it.

 

Graduation date: 17 Mei 2021 
Graduation committee: Wouter Kroeze (mentor), Ard Hoksbergen, Lorien Beijaert
Additional members for the exam: Jochem Heijmans, Gus Tielens