GARDEN WITH A MEMORY
PRIVATE GARDEN - AMSTERDAM, NL - 2023
A FORMER INDUSTRIAL SITE
In an urban development in the north of Amsterdam, studio audal in collaboration with Joost Emmerik was invited to design a private garden in a street of the Buiksloterham. As part of the expansion of the city of Amsterdam, the former industrial harbor with its characteristic warehouses, cranes and large infrastructural elements is currently being transformed into new dwellings based on the taste of the contemporary, architectural style.
To preserve the memory of its industrial past, the Garden with a memory is based around the integration of various elements from the former site that can still be found on the surrounding construction site. Precisely placed relics are the central piece of the garden, while concrete elements, normally used for roads and harbors, are being used to create a terrace to sit on. A glass stillage has been transformed into a multifunctional, wooden seating element with storage in it, but also serves as a separation with the neighbors. Elements that once functioned as concrete barriers, are rotated 90 degrees and used as seating elements as playful reading niches for the family.
PIONEER VEGETATION
In between the relics, planting beds have been incorporated with multi-stem trees that are all selected based on being pioneers species. To enhance the biodiversity, old, fallen logs covered with mushrooms have been placed to shelter various animal species. A wide range of plant species that flower throughout the year offer a pollinating paradise for many ambassador insects within this region of Amsterdam.
Garden with a memory demonstrates that rather than removing the history of a site, but preserving it, nature can grow anywhere despite its challenges. When the Buiksloterham development is completed, this garden will function as a memory of what once was for both the family and the passer-by.
All image credits courtesy of Joost Emmerik©
Project status
Built
Client
Private
Year
2023
Location
Amsterdam, NL
In collaboration with
Joost Emmerik, Paul Casteleijn