Zeist structure vision

Zeist structure vision 2020_Course of the municipality for the next ten years

For the municipality of Zeist, 12N Urban Matters worked on a very extensive and challenging urban development project. Within the municipality of Zeist there were major differences of opinion in advance about the desired developments of the municipality, which led to strong discussions at the meeting table and via the press. The Zeist 2020 Structural Vision has ensured a clear picture of the future for the municipality. The desired spatial and programmatic quality in ten years’ time has been described on the basis of research, participation and design. This includes both the built-up areas (Zeist, Den Dolder, Austerlitz, Huis ter Heide, Bosch and Duin) and the outer areas. Special attention is given to both sides of the A28, where there are many opportunities for improvement when it comes to sustainability and quality of life.

The structural vision was drawn up in the period summer 2009 – summer 2010. This structural vision came about through a highly interactive process. The various options were discussed in nearly 40 different meetings with individuals and groups from society. These meetings were sometimes integral and sometimes specific in nature and contributed strongly to the overall plan. In the structural vision, general spatial, programmatic and area-oriented statements have been made, plus an implementation section with a global financial framework.

12N took care of the substantive outlines of future scenarios and the substantive management of an official team of specialists. Simultaneously with the process of the structural vision, 12N worked on analyzing and discussing the existing number studies and calculation models. As was the case in many other municipalities, those numbers led to discussions about its value and the significance of translation into policy documents. Such open method has led to greater appreciation and confidence.

Fulco Treffers worked intensively with Frans Werter from Buro de Steeg (process management), and with Timo Bralts from Bestwerk for (carto) graphic work.

The structural vision followed the Zeist Development Perspective in which 12N was previously involved. A complex substantive task, in which a vision of the future has been sketched based on participation. This vision of the future formed the basis for the next ten years.

Download Structure Vision Zeist 2020 summary
Download Structural Vision Zeist 2020 total

Commissioned by: municipality of Zeist
In collaboration with: Frans Werter – Buro de Steeg, Timo Bralts – Bestwerk & Ingrid Appels – De Appelboom
Period: summer 2009 – winter 2011

Area prospect Strijp T

Strijp T_Future prospect based on sustainability

Strijp T seems to fall behind a little, compared to neighboring area’s Strijp S and Strijp R. The company Philips has long gone, but the site is still fenced. Many of the buildings are being used by companies, and some by designers.For a long time, little to nothing happened in terms of vision development for Strijp T. In 2016 however, the local government decided to set some outlines for the site.

12N Urban Matters was prompted by Samenwerkingsverband Regio Eindhoven to research future prospect, and look at opportunities and strengths together with entrepreneurs and business owners. Important, according to SRE, is a focus on sustainability, taking inspiration from the principles of Cradle to Cradle and The Natural Step.

Strijp T has the potential do develop from an unknown business area, into a leading campus for manufacturing and innovation. In 12N’s vision, activity will remain the backbone of the area, but the activity will slowly change focus. A so-called plug -in platform is a new urban planning instrument to support the transformation. Economic and legal developments will set the pace.

12N Urban Matters worked with Urhahn Urban Design and Thomas Rau architects. Urhahn Urban Design is the author of Spontaneous City, and is involved in Space-S. Thomas Rau received the ARC13 Oeuvre Award. He designed the headquar,ters of Triodos Bank in Driebergen-Zeist railway station.

Download the book here: Strijp-T boek

Commissioned by: SRE
Period: 2016

Family house design

Designing a place to call home

Ellen and Adrie need a change. The house is old. It’s finished. But the place is beautiful, and they do not really like to leave. They live in a gorgeous setting, with space for themselves, their three children and two horses.

The first talk made clear that this was an assignment that 12N Urban Matters liked to take on. ‘Warm, open, ordinary and extraordinary, and curious about the future.’ And ready to make it work!

The ideas started flowing, with long conversations about living, about life, about houses and about feeling at home. home and at home. Finding inspiration elsewhere, measuring, building workshops with he kids, and ultimately drawing, designing and building the house.

Commissioned by: Ellen and Adrie and the kids
Period: from June 2014

Art incubator, founder+director

TAC_Temporary Art Center

Like many good ideas, TAC was born at the pub bar.

A few years later there was a foundation, an organization, a building, but above all: many artists, designers, musicians, theater makers, fashion designers and architects who, together, created a vibrant experimental breeding ground for young people. Fulco Treffers was one of the founders, and for years the “central midfielder” of this dynamic volunteer organization. During this period, TAC evolved from an idea on a beer mat to a project plan, and from a pioneering phase to a core player in the Eindhoven and Dutch cultural landscape.

Many exhibitions, performances, shows and festivals later, TAC lives like never before. And, every now and then, Fulco looks at the many videos of TAC_Live or inside the beautiful books made during the early years: VanTAC.

1999 first idea phase
2004 TAC starts
2011 farewell to Fulco Treffers

www.tac.nu

Some VanTAC booklets can be seen here:
VANTAC 1
VANTAC 2
VANTAC 4
VANTAC 7
VANTAC 10
VANTAC 11
VANTAC 12
VANTAC 13

Social design, Eindhoven

Sonseweg_Linking social and spatial characteristics

The backdrop: a northern suburb of Eindhoven consisting of 120 very small houses – just about as small as they come in urban social housing. An organically grown neighborhood with an eclectic mix of people, all of whom are slightly scarred by life and ended up in the neighbourhood simply because they had nowhere else to go.

Lots of changes have been made in the area recently. Five years ago, problems were on the rise, but after effective and sharp intervention, the corporation reinstalled peace and quiet. A coffee-corner, where residents meet field professionals, works incredibly well. One might conclude: much achieved, end of story. But the corporation was curious for more.

The public space surrounding the dwellings lacks clear structure and clear separation between public and private areas. The connection with the adjacent park is dodgy and undefined. Should something change, according to the residents? And if so, how? The group of residents is so diverse and yet so specific that it is hard to define their needs and wishes.

A typical challenge for 12N Urban Matters: investigating the relationship between spatial and social characteristics in the area. Commissioned by 12N, Mildred Montpellier (social and medical anthropology) and Wessel Dragt (spatial analysis) set to work.

The project was implemented in four phases. Firstly, needs and wishes of residents were defined through interviews and open discussion. Parallel, analysis of the spatial environment took place. Based on the results, four scenarios for the public space were developed. These scenarios were presented to the residents during a fun-filled activity in the park. Taking residents response and opinions into account, a final proposal for the outdoor area was presented.

The chosen approach presented an additional challenge. In parallel to all open conversations with the residents, background calculations were needed all the time: to what extent should the ambitions be tempered or stimulated? Design drawings and Excel sheets went hand in hand. Several residents also provided help, in form of pruning and clearing actions. The result is a safe, pleasant outdoor space, maintained by the neighborhood.

Commissioned by: Woonbedrijf, district Woensel-Noord
In collaboration with: Wessel Dragt and Mildred Monpellier
Period: January – June 2012

Cultural area, Eindhoven

Viktoriakwartier_Programmatic vision and planning cultural creative neighborhood in Eindhoven

How is a neighborhood made to grow organically? What should and shouldn’t be done? 12N Urban Matters developed a toolkit and framework with which users, housing corporation and municipality could move ahead.

The client’s wish was for an inventory of programmatic and organizational aspects for the development of Viktoriakwartier in Eindhoven, to become the setting for a dynamic, creative-cultural neighborhood. Viktoriakwartier is a planned, top-down building- and redevelopment project in which living, cultural recreation and creative outreach come together in an intimate wijkje or mini-community; situated in the historic centre where old and new combine and the city eases out of the shopping spree towards an alternative, creative promenade scene.

To achieve a properly-balanced concept development, planning and implementation, the developing party, Woonbedrijf, with the support of the City of Eindhoven, assigned 12N as responsible for the project’s programme. 12N summarized the functions in Viktoriakwartier that could be merged and the necessary requirements to do so. 12N drew up the overall programme specifications, performed group studies and defined the various price levels for renting residential, shop, workshop- and office space. Methods introduced by 12N included excursions, networking days, workshop days, conceptual brainstorms and events which also welcomed outside expertise and cultural entrepreneurs as knowledge sources and creative motors.

12N also offered suggestions touching on the subject of identity, dealing with existing and historical urban elements, recruitment and selection of residents/users, contact with stakeholders, communication strategy and organizational structure. The process included interim presentations and products that adhered to the ‘style’ of the project – public sessions organized along with on-the-spot interviews, virtual 3D animation, DJ’s, VJ’s, live music and a 14 x 14 meter plan that enabled visitors to literally take home a piece of the neighborhood.

A very intense cooperation was achieved with Mathijs Bouw of One Architecture, who worked on the spatial parameters. 12N was in charge of the programmatic directives. The development of Viktoriakwartier has ground to a halt, mainly due to a change in priorities within the building plan.
Note: after thirteen years of waiting the redevelopment got new energy with several new partners in 2020. Realisation to be started in 2022.

Download the result here.

Commissioned by: woningbouwcorporatie Woonbedrijf
In collaboration with: One Architecture
Period: 2005 – 2007