Photographs

Location Manresa, a large park-like area in Venlo, is situated on a steep hillside close to the city-centre. It consists of an open platform with several monumental trees and wooded slopes around. During the whole 20th century the location was occupied by an old monastery (demolished since the late 90s) overlooking the city. In order to keep the old park with (limited) access to the public the decision was made to develop exclusive housing in the area, on three distinct sites. According to the urban plan of Buro Lubbers the three building sites have in common that they are pushed as far as possible from the platform into the woods in order to preserve the charming open platform with its valuable trees. The architecture of the different sites designed by three different architects differs clearly from each other, in terms of its character, typology and expression.

The site for our scheme in the Southeast corner of the site is a steep wooded slope with a large variety of trees of different sizes and ages, such as oaks, fir trees, chestnuts, beeches and birches. The design of the configuration of our buildings has been made with the ambition to preserve the existing vegetation as much as possible. For the exclusive dwellings we propose very narrow, long volumes, connected to each other on the short side. As a meander they find their way around the trees forming a configuration of three generous inner courtyards allowing for sufficient privacy for all inhabitants and enough space and spatial continuity for the trees to keep growing. Two pedestrian bridges give access to all dwellings from the same level and connect even the dwellings situated on the lower parts of the site to the platform. Besides these bridges there are two roads on different levels and a number of carports reserved for the inhabitants.

The calm, rather rigid architecture with its grey brick cladding hides literally behind the trees. The use of colour on specific parts of the scheme underlines the 'interior' character of the courtyards. The quality of the plan derives from the close contact between forest and dwelling, the interlocking enclosures of the semi-public courtyards, the gradual transitions from private to public and the preservation of the greenery. The plans are simple and generous: all dwellings have a clear distinction between more private and more public rooms. Due to the large windows facing all sides, the terraces, balconies and the possibility to turn the flat roofs into roof-terraces the inhabitants will be able to enjoy their very special forest-location in every possible way.