Huis ‘t Velde is an estate first mentioned in 1326 and located in Warnsveld, in the east of the Netherlands. During the analysis of the building and site it became clear that it fell under a particular typology. Huis ‘t Velde was known as ‘havezate’, a specific type of castle which provided privileges and political rights. It was an ensemble of estate and buildings that evolved over time and was used as fortified house. Many similar buildings are seen across the region and seemed to have various similarities. Often, those havezaten were not publicly accessible, resulting in nescience of the typology among many people. The term ‘havezate’ was often even replaced by ‘kasteel’ or ‘landhuis’, while the definition was not identical. These analysis resulted in the following research- and design question:
How can fourteenth-century havezaten from Het Kwartier van Zutphen be characterized to formulate a building typology and how can this be made experienceable to the public in the re-design of Huis ‘t Velde?

Since the current use of Huis ‘t Velde does not make the typology experienceable, the whole estate and buildings will be re-designed to be publicly accessible. By attracting people and allowing them on the estate and inside the buildings they can become acquainted with the characteristics of the typology and take in the atmosphere that makes it so special. Huis ‘t Velde will host a hotel, with restaurant and wine tasting area, combined with some rental rooms, a shop and various outside spaces like a flower-, vegetable- and monumental garden. The majority of the (spatial) interventions are based on the conducted individual research into havezaten in the area around Zutphen. The results are combined into a design toolbox with interventions to use to make the characteristics of a havezate (more) experienceable to the public. These design tools are implemented and testing in the re-design of Huis ‘t Velde. ... Read more

The Dutch Police is one of the largest owners of public real estate in the Netherlands. From police station to forensic laboratory, from listed buildings in the centre of The Hague to large-scale facilities next to the motorway in Driebergen: the task of accommodating the Police is as diverse as it is challenging. Themes such as innovation and sustainability, health and safety, as well as identity, flexibility and affordability are all of relevance for the Police’s accommodation strategy. Efforts are being made to strike a new balance between the physical, mobile and digital workplace.

Since the formation of the National Police, there has been an enormous challenge to accommodate the organization. In realizing this task, the police has the ambition to raise the quality of police buildings as well as the experience users have in the buildings. At the same time, the police is at the heart of an ever changing society: The accommodation needs to meet the requirements posed by several developments such as the energy transition, climate change and digitization. How do these developments influence the task of future-proofing (cultural) heritage? Which role can our heritage buildings play in these transitions?

The key lies in our present actions coupled with the lessons of the past. Different approaches on Built Heritage will open our eyes and help with today’s issues. To see what is valuable. Will the decisions made in the past be our strength or pitfall? How will objects developed in the past, exposed to today’s spatial developments, help us? Through the power of imagination, the Studio Vacant
heritage from Heritage and Architecture proudly reveals many possibilities. ... Read more

With the significant industrial and economic growth of the beginning of the twentieth century life was busy and of fast pace. Every now and then citizens wanted to escape from reality. Spending time in nature became popular and eventually the trend of outdoor-living emerged. After having been outside for a while people were able to return to their hectic city-life again. Outdoor recreation and camping laid the ground of what is now known as the weekend-, summer- or holiday house. The ones who could afford it let their own private summerhouse be designed in order to get regenerated by nature. Two main contrasting design approaches for summer houses were noticeable in the Netherlands between 1930-1940; romantic-picturesque and hygienic-sporting. The following question is researched: How did the two prominent ways of designing summer houses fulfil their originally intended function in the Netherlands between 1930-1940? Literary review on the emergence and development of the summer houses and their synonyms served as a background for the later discussed case studies. A series of case studies is included in a catalogue that is attached in the appendix. It was determined that the romantic-picturesque approach was most commonly used. It was characterised by proper integration in the environment and a focus on the exterior rather than the interior. The summerhouse was used after having spent time in nature all day. Therefore, protection against nature was provided by making little interruptions in the exterior and therefore giving it a closed character. The hygienic-sporting approach was characterized by the blurring of the building’s borders, letting interior overflow into exterior and therefore literally meeting the outdoor-living demands. Huge openable curtain walls made the garden an extension of the living room and lured people to do sports and play games outside. The focus was rather on the functionality than the aesthetic value. The research elaborates on the two main design approaches but does not deny the existing of in-between approaches as well. ... Read more