M. Spaans
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11 records found
1
The Crossing
An Exploration of Contemporary Sacred Architecture
Rooted in the concept of *religare*—to re-link or reconnect—this project proposes a public pavilion that negotiates the threshold of Patarei Sea Fortress, introducing spaces for both internal and external reconnection. The museum’s necessary display of historical trauma is complemented by a narrative of hope and appreciation, with the understanding that this contrast ultimately strengthens both.
This project does not aim to erase the traumatic memory of Patarei Sea Fortress. Rather, it creates a space for people to absorb the experience and reflect upon it. It explores how we may build for the soul in a post-secular world, keeping our gaze fixed on the horizon even as we reflect on the past.
...
Rooted in the concept of *religare*—to re-link or reconnect—this project proposes a public pavilion that negotiates the threshold of Patarei Sea Fortress, introducing spaces for both internal and external reconnection. The museum’s necessary display of historical trauma is complemented by a narrative of hope and appreciation, with the understanding that this contrast ultimately strengthens both.
This project does not aim to erase the traumatic memory of Patarei Sea Fortress. Rather, it creates a space for people to absorb the experience and reflect upon it. It explores how we may build for the soul in a post-secular world, keeping our gaze fixed on the horizon even as we reflect on the past.
Towards a friction-guided planning doctrine
Using friction as a diagnostic compass for a new Dutch planning doctrine
The research uses Flevoland as a diagnostic case. It analyses historical development, current spatial pressures, policy debates, media sources, and field observations. It then uses explorative scenario planning and design fiction as spatial crash-tests to examine what happens when one spatial logic becomes too dominant: the thought space of policy targets and maps, the physical space of soil and water, or the lived space of routines, attachment and local experience.
The study finds that spatial conflicts often arise when these three realities are separated too early or translated too late. Therefore, a friction-guided doctrine requires more than planning principles alone. It also depends on three institutional conditions: methodological openness, power accountability, and temporal alignment. These conditions make it possible to adapt plans, reveal unequal spatial burdens, and prevent fast political deadlines from overruling slower ecological and social realities.
The thesis proposes five planning principles: Translational, Integrated, Condition-Driven, Relational-Safeguarding, and Socio-Ecological Transition Planning. Together, they offer an open doctrine that uses friction as an early warning signal before spatial ambitions become fixed. ...
The research uses Flevoland as a diagnostic case. It analyses historical development, current spatial pressures, policy debates, media sources, and field observations. It then uses explorative scenario planning and design fiction as spatial crash-tests to examine what happens when one spatial logic becomes too dominant: the thought space of policy targets and maps, the physical space of soil and water, or the lived space of routines, attachment and local experience.
The study finds that spatial conflicts often arise when these three realities are separated too early or translated too late. Therefore, a friction-guided doctrine requires more than planning principles alone. It also depends on three institutional conditions: methodological openness, power accountability, and temporal alignment. These conditions make it possible to adapt plans, reveal unequal spatial burdens, and prevent fast political deadlines from overruling slower ecological and social realities.
The thesis proposes five planning principles: Translational, Integrated, Condition-Driven, Relational-Safeguarding, and Socio-Ecological Transition Planning. Together, they offer an open doctrine that uses friction as an early warning signal before spatial ambitions become fixed.
The voice of the water
Searching for the Sublime in the Biesbosch
Own your treatment space
A study about the feeling of autonomy in psychiatric clinics
live on their own anymore. Stays are kept as short as possible and patients are
stimulated to reintegrate and live on their own again (GGZ Noord-Holland-
Noord, n.d.). For patients with the prospect of moving out again, this now often
fails, because the difference between living in a clinic and living in your own
home is too big. The architecture does not fully support aspects of giving and
taking autonomy, which can result in patients feeling helpless (Evans, 2003).
This research aims to make it easier for patients admitted to psychiatric clinics
to reintegrate into out-patient care and their own home, by finding ways in
which architecture can increase the autonomy that patients in clinics have.
For this research, the subject of feeling at home is taken from J. Habraken
(1961), who says that a place can only feel like a home when you are able to
build, to change it to your preferences. The paper by Golembiewski (2010) is
used as it directly posed architectural guidelines. There is no research yet that
combines elements of architecture and the built environment into guidelines
to increase the feeling of autonomy for patients admitted to psychiatric clinics.
Part of the research is done by a case study analysis, in which 5 psychiatric
clinics in The Netherlands will be ranked points in five different categories,
with a maximum of five points. The categories are: Room for activity within,
Activities in surroundings, Possibility to choose your whereabouts, Possibility
to personalize and Stigmatization. Another part of the research is done by by
interviews and observations in a Field Work. Three interviews were done with
members of staff and there have also been observations directed to finding
out people’s needs, wishes and relationship with the building.
The research resulted in 17 architectural guidelines that architects can use
in order to design psychiatric clinics and increase the amount of autonomy
patients have. Within the guidelines, there is a clash between those that make
sure safety and privacy is provided within the building and thosethat stimulate
social contact and activities. It is both important to comfort patients as well
as prepare them to live on their own.
Key words: Autonomy, personalization, temporary co-living, psychiatric clinics,
inpatient healthcare facilities, patient-centred healthcare. ...
live on their own anymore. Stays are kept as short as possible and patients are
stimulated to reintegrate and live on their own again (GGZ Noord-Holland-
Noord, n.d.). For patients with the prospect of moving out again, this now often
fails, because the difference between living in a clinic and living in your own
home is too big. The architecture does not fully support aspects of giving and
taking autonomy, which can result in patients feeling helpless (Evans, 2003).
This research aims to make it easier for patients admitted to psychiatric clinics
to reintegrate into out-patient care and their own home, by finding ways in
which architecture can increase the autonomy that patients in clinics have.
For this research, the subject of feeling at home is taken from J. Habraken
(1961), who says that a place can only feel like a home when you are able to
build, to change it to your preferences. The paper by Golembiewski (2010) is
used as it directly posed architectural guidelines. There is no research yet that
combines elements of architecture and the built environment into guidelines
to increase the feeling of autonomy for patients admitted to psychiatric clinics.
Part of the research is done by a case study analysis, in which 5 psychiatric
clinics in The Netherlands will be ranked points in five different categories,
with a maximum of five points. The categories are: Room for activity within,
Activities in surroundings, Possibility to choose your whereabouts, Possibility
to personalize and Stigmatization. Another part of the research is done by by
interviews and observations in a Field Work. Three interviews were done with
members of staff and there have also been observations directed to finding
out people’s needs, wishes and relationship with the building.
The research resulted in 17 architectural guidelines that architects can use
in order to design psychiatric clinics and increase the amount of autonomy
patients have. Within the guidelines, there is a clash between those that make
sure safety and privacy is provided within the building and thosethat stimulate
social contact and activities. It is both important to comfort patients as well
as prepare them to live on their own.
Key words: Autonomy, personalization, temporary co-living, psychiatric clinics,
inpatient healthcare facilities, patient-centred healthcare.
Growing (Up) Together
The design of small-scale youth care facilities
Many have studied the design of healthcare environments. Others have concentrated on the design of mental healthcare facilities or healthcare environments for children and young adults. However, the majority of research still appears to be focused on the design of hospitals and other formal healthcare settings, such as psychiatric facilities. Research on the design of residential care for young adults with mental and behavioural disorders is scarce. There is a need for more specific research and knowledge on this topic. Therefore, this research aims to discover: What location conditions and architectural and built environment features can support the design of open and secure small-scale residential facilities for youth care and increase user autonomy and social interaction? During this research, the following themes will be discussed: location conditions, architectural features, level of autonomy and social interaction.
Four small-scale youth care homes were visited. Analysis of the buildings, semi-structured interviews with caretakers and conversations with residents were conducted. The research showed that users preferred a neighbourhood setting close to public transport and general amenities. Architectural features included spaces that are flexible and adaptable to different users, a domestic and normalised setting, the right balance between privacy and security, sufficient facilities for leisure and materials that are low maintenance. The research showed that autonomy could be enhanced by including safety measures to prevent (self-)injury, as few security measures as possible, security measures as invisible as possible, adaptable and customisable security and safety levels and easily personalisable spaces. Social interaction could be improved by providing opportunities to meet with neighbours and to interact with the social network and other users. ...
Many have studied the design of healthcare environments. Others have concentrated on the design of mental healthcare facilities or healthcare environments for children and young adults. However, the majority of research still appears to be focused on the design of hospitals and other formal healthcare settings, such as psychiatric facilities. Research on the design of residential care for young adults with mental and behavioural disorders is scarce. There is a need for more specific research and knowledge on this topic. Therefore, this research aims to discover: What location conditions and architectural and built environment features can support the design of open and secure small-scale residential facilities for youth care and increase user autonomy and social interaction? During this research, the following themes will be discussed: location conditions, architectural features, level of autonomy and social interaction.
Four small-scale youth care homes were visited. Analysis of the buildings, semi-structured interviews with caretakers and conversations with residents were conducted. The research showed that users preferred a neighbourhood setting close to public transport and general amenities. Architectural features included spaces that are flexible and adaptable to different users, a domestic and normalised setting, the right balance between privacy and security, sufficient facilities for leisure and materials that are low maintenance. The research showed that autonomy could be enhanced by including safety measures to prevent (self-)injury, as few security measures as possible, security measures as invisible as possible, adaptable and customisable security and safety levels and easily personalisable spaces. Social interaction could be improved by providing opportunities to meet with neighbours and to interact with the social network and other users.
Designing a healthy home
Research for guidelines to improve the physical health and mental well-being in dwellings using the passive house concept as basis
With the growing pressure on the Dutch health care sector, growing climate problems and pressure on the Dutch housing market more should be done to resolve this. Therefore, a project statement has been made of what is technically possible resulting in the use carbon fibre as building material for this project. On a location that because of shortage of space in the Netherlands has been reconsidered and now is approved for residential development. Giving a possibility to deal with the problems of today while incorporating the solution of the future into a new healthy home design.
...
With the growing pressure on the Dutch health care sector, growing climate problems and pressure on the Dutch housing market more should be done to resolve this. Therefore, a project statement has been made of what is technically possible resulting in the use carbon fibre as building material for this project. On a location that because of shortage of space in the Netherlands has been reconsidered and now is approved for residential development. Giving a possibility to deal with the problems of today while incorporating the solution of the future into a new healthy home design.
Publicizing Vacant Heritage
Combining public accessible use with elderly housing in the Koudenhorn in Haarlem to stimulate social interaction
In the upcoming years, around 700.000 square meters of police real estate will be divested and 30% of the real estate of the police is in need for redevelopment. Atelier Politiebouwmeester provided us with the assignment to look into the possibilities of several of their buildings for in the future.
One of this buildings is the Koudenhorn in Haarlem, a large building covering an entire urban block in the inner city of Haarlem. The disconnection of this building with the surrounding public space caught the attention and raised questions on how this building would function if it would have a public use.
This combined led to the following research- and design question: How could the Koudenhorn building in Haarlem be transformed into elderly housing that includes public accessible functions to stimulate social interaction both amongst the inhabitants of the building and with the neighborhood?
A research into the topic of public interiors, public space and porosity resulted in eight architectural focus points that influence the public character of interior or enclosed spaces. Analyzing the focus points in a case study research resulted in strategies for each focus point that can be tested and implemented during the design process.
Within the re-design of the Koudenhorn, the courtyard of the building is added to the pedestrian network of the city. Collective spaces such as a dining hall, music studio and library and public accessible functions such as a sport facility and makerspace are added to the various typologies of elderly housing to create a attractive living environment for elderly within a building that contributes to its surroundings.
...
In the upcoming years, around 700.000 square meters of police real estate will be divested and 30% of the real estate of the police is in need for redevelopment. Atelier Politiebouwmeester provided us with the assignment to look into the possibilities of several of their buildings for in the future.
One of this buildings is the Koudenhorn in Haarlem, a large building covering an entire urban block in the inner city of Haarlem. The disconnection of this building with the surrounding public space caught the attention and raised questions on how this building would function if it would have a public use.
This combined led to the following research- and design question: How could the Koudenhorn building in Haarlem be transformed into elderly housing that includes public accessible functions to stimulate social interaction both amongst the inhabitants of the building and with the neighborhood?
A research into the topic of public interiors, public space and porosity resulted in eight architectural focus points that influence the public character of interior or enclosed spaces. Analyzing the focus points in a case study research resulted in strategies for each focus point that can be tested and implemented during the design process.
Within the re-design of the Koudenhorn, the courtyard of the building is added to the pedestrian network of the city. Collective spaces such as a dining hall, music studio and library and public accessible functions such as a sport facility and makerspace are added to the various typologies of elderly housing to create a attractive living environment for elderly within a building that contributes to its surroundings.
Locating the Fieldlabs
An exploratory research on the spatial conditions of the Dutch Smart Industry’s 4.0 fieldlabs
Transformation Structuralism
21st century university in a 70's structuralist building
Spaces of Collection
A Pavilion as an Archive