Patchwork Futures covers the terrain of ‘t Zoet in Breda. In the current situation this terrain is derelict, with the traces of the demolished sugar factory still visible in its landscape.
Planning a site like this asks for accepting constantly changing urban developments. Rather than a fixed blueprint, this plan allows to be changeable when the time asks for it. The framework is based on the original grid of the industrial traces. It historically forms a polder system perpendiculary opening towards the river Mark. The industrial foundations are being reused in this proposal.
The city Breda requires a new cultural district, to feed the international character in which the city is evolving.
The framework will have several cells in which seperate developments can take place in several stages. The first being a biological sanitization of the old industrial ground. After this, the existing concrete foundation can be reused for lightly build biobased constructions.
The surroundings of ‘ t Zoet are planned for high density urban housing building blocks, with parking solved within the building blocks. Next to the railway a new public transport line will be added to accomodate the bus, a busstation will be added next to the hotel. The road structure of ‘t Zoet will mainly be a wooden decking structure, for pedestrian use. The waterside will house a boulevard with a biking lane / green connection, going underneath the railway bridge.
The urban setup is a porous plan with scale intensification along the waterfront. It will accomodate a connection of new water networks which will relieve the river Mark and strengthen the newly introduces green network within the city blocks. Through this plan a green/blue axis will be created which will connect the east waterside with a bridge.
‘t Zoet will be ground for experimental new cultural venues, living spaces, buildings, and accomodates flexible working spaces and sport/leisure activities.
Two circular concrete slabs, close to the railroad, will be the foundation of a new landmark for Breda. Here the two silhouettes of the previous silos will be rebuild in a hotel and a museum. They will accomodate an axis in which Onze Lieve Vrouwe kerk will be visible.
The hotel will have an industial exterior, with concrete materialisation, in which a porousity is introduced, these cavities embody sight lines, from the welcoming natural interior of the Biome hotel towards other landmarks in Breda.
The museum works as a machine accomodating several different events, such as experimental theater or lightshows, nicknamed The Rig. The exterior represents a curtain drawn to hide the myths inside.
Interior Biome hotel
Interior The Rig
This project is made in collaboration with Assaf Barnea for the Europan 17 competition. The urban plan has derived from both our efforts, Assaf Barnea designed the Rig, the Biome hotel was designed by StudioStubert.
Collaboration: Assaf Barnea
Status: Concept stage finished
