Urban planning

The planning area is part of a green belt that runs from the river IJ delta along the Noordhollands Kanaal. In this belt, the elements of buildings, green areas and water are strongly linked together. The buildings and main opening-up of the planning area naturally follow from this principle. The elements are grouped around axes: the central green belt, the axis towards the little church, the south-east diagonal and the axis towards the mill.

On the north side, the area is screened off by high-rise buildings. The section east of the central green/water area consists of a court structure with compact low-rise buildings. The visibility axis towards the little church cuts right through the courts. East of the green belt we have planned a quadrangle allotment with a little tower in the centre. Because of its configuration and orientation towards the sun, this section will be called 'The Sundial'. The opening-up of the area has been kept to a minimum and consists of one route around the area.

A system of ditches and ponds has been included in the plan. The rainwater is drained off into the surface water. The ponds in the central green/water area will be equipped as plant water-purification site. The existing water areas and green areas positively influence the microclimate. They also serve as recreation area for the residents. By linking the green areas to each other and to the surrounding landscape, the ecological quality is increased.

Our competition entry is designed in a team with Marge Architecten Rotterdam (Theo Steemers) and MOES Bouwbedrijf Almere.

The competition was finished in 1992. Construction started in 1993 and was finished in 1995.
BEAR Architects designed 35 Sustainable houses for Woningstichting Patrimonium and 50 houses for MOES Bouwbedrijf.