Meintje Delisse presents ‘beHagen’

design, invent & build

team BAM Wonen wins builders competition ‘A New Building Culture: biobased and nature-inclusive building, Leeuwarden’

De Nieuwe Bouwcultuur will continue in Leeuwarden East, where WoonFriesland aims to realize 50 social rental homes as the new standard for sustainable and affordable housing. Our vision is called ‘beHagen’, because of the hedges that form a fine-meshed ecological network throughout Leeuwarden East. In the opinion of the jury, the plan demonstrates both an attractive design and urban development quality. “The plan is very complete and designed in such a way that it will promote social cohesion between residents.” Sigrid Hoekstra. We are very proud of the wonderful design, and thank the project team: Bam Wonen, Bureau Biota, Landscape Collected, Site Practice and bureau SLA!

the 7 lessons of beHagen

Using seven lessons, ‘beHagen’ tells the story of a biobased and nature-inclusive living environment that represents a New Building Culture. These seven lessons, which stand for innovation, but also for quality, feasibility and scalability, are the common thread within the project.

lesson 1 | embracing the Leeuwarden eco-system

We emphasize maintaining and strengthening of the existing ecosystem, making use of the rich clay soil and plant communities that characterize the Frisian landscape. We ensure a connection between the existing green-blue structure, the existing soil capital, the current ecosystem and the to be realized Zamenhof Park.

lesson 2 | building on local conditions

With inspiration from the Frisian Stinze gardens and the network of hedges in Leeuwarden-Oost, we are integrating local elements in a contemporary way. This not only creates an attractive environment and generative courtyard, as a stepping stone for the city, but also preserves and strengthens habitats and corridors for urban fauna.

lesson 3 | building on local traditions

We focus on local architectural traditions in which nature is prioritized. By including green elements such as narrow facade gardens, hedges and porous partitions between homes, beHagen offers an attractive habitat for animals, plants and people, which also improves the planned transition between private and public.

lesson 4 | making architecture for nature

By using 85% bio-based building materials and designing ‘natural walls’ as habitats for plants and animals, we integrate the building seamlessly into the surrounding environment as a homogeneous building block.

lesson 5 | bringing nature into the kitchen

We are integrating nature into the daily lives of the residents. All 50 rental properties are designed with outdoor spaces and kitchen-diners that provide direct access to the natural environment. This promotes a sense of connection with the neighborhood and stimulates social interaction.

lesson 6 | stimulating local innovation

BeHagen has an innovative character, with a focus on local production and use of biobased materials, such as wood and cellulose, as basis for the factory-produced BAM Flow home. To further embed the project in the calcareous clay soil of Cambuur, together with Klaei from Lauwersoog, we are developing pressed stones made from silt from the Wadden Sea, for the nature benches, nest boxes, canopies and garden walls.

lesson 7 | a plan that is living and learning

The BeHagen plan vision is not a final vision, but a starting point for further learning and working on a new building culture. With the help of four ambassadors, we work to actively develop local innovations, so they can be scaled up in the future. Through monitoring and management, the effects of our project on the local ecosystem are monitored and adjusted if necessary. This way we continue to learn and innovate with the development of beHagen!

Read more at De Architect, Architectenweb or the College van Rijksadviseurs.