Interstitial urban spaces form an exception in the very organised urban-rural monocultural landscapes in the Netherlands. These unplanned in-between spaces are rarely valued from a traditional planning perspective, in which they are seen as “empty” or “unused”, thus ready for development. They are, however, an important refuge for people and wildlife alike, who do not fit in the monocultures of urban life and agriculture. However, the unplanned character that is core to their nature and arguably their value might be easily disturbed by design activities, and thus urban densification in the Netherlands is a threat to the existence of these spaces. Through the research question “How could urban interstitial spaces in the Netherlands provide cultural and ecological value?” The aim is to find a better way to describe, design, and value these spaces. Next to theoretical exploration, site analysis and fieldwork, explorative design is used to imagine how interstitial urban spaces could look and function to support and sustain the cultural and ecological values for the people and wildlife that make use of these spaces, could encourage bottom-up spacial development and inspire by illustrating what is possible.

Courthouses are the very front face of the judicial system. It can also be referred to as a connecting link or the only link between the people and the fundamental rights to justice described under the Constitution. Situating in the city of Berlin, with a dynamic history of changing power and law, the new Judicial complex aims to open itself to the people of Berlin, bringing back the lost civic identity of the courthouse complex. The proposal finds itself in the beating heart of the city and along the future cultural spine - river Spree. The larger vision thrives towards designing a courthouse that forms the centre of public activities and blends into the daily dynamics of people’s life. Bringing the law back to the city centre would allow more people to be part of it and how their involvement would shape the decisions taken, and how people’s opinions could play a vital role in judicial systems. Looking at the future idea of a modern public space and the court being a part of it will reflect the needs of the dynamic group of Berliners and generate an atmosphere where the city and the law can share the space. Breaking the historic stereotypical barrier will help dilute the threshold that separates the city to participate in the law.