Where water connects
Architecture as a Catalyst for Year-Round Activation
S.C. Tam (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
H.J. Bultstra – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
A.M.F. van Dam – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
The Studio positions itself within the framework of Nij Begun– a 30-year plan recently implemented by the Dutch Government to build a better future for the regions of Groningen and North Drenthe. Nij Begun targets areas that have been affected for decades by practices of gas extraction and, as a consequence, also by several earthquakes, causing serious damage to buildings as well as economic and mental damage to its inhabitants. This project investigates how architecture can contribute to the regeneration of economically and socially marginalised areas by strengthening cultural identity, fostering a sense of belonging, and simultaneously generating economic vitality. It explores how sustainable tourism – one that celebrates nature, ecology, and multispecies coexistence – can trigger positive models of economic development and social cohesion.
Through a Research-by-Design approach, the project proposes a tourism- and community-oriented public building that combines wellness, short-stay accommodation, and cultural programmes to extend tourism across the year. To balance attracting visitors while preserving the village’s character, the project explores how small-scale architectural interventions, landscape design, and wellness-oriented programmes can be woven into the existing context, forming a connected and inclusive system.