Park Hartenstein, Oosterbeek • 2000
Closed competition for 21 apartments in a park
Client: Johan Matser Projectontwikkeling

This limited architectural competition presented a dilemma. A beautiful wooded landscape, which takes its value from the fact that it bears so little construction, had to be fully built up. To restrict the above-ground volume as much as possible, half of the construction programme has been situated below ground level. The plan comprises seven modest ‘forest villas’ that are related to traditional Oosterbeek villas in terms of their mass. Sunken patios are attached to these small apartment blocks, and these ensure that the subterranean programme enjoys good incident of light while remaining in contact with the wooded landscape.
Each storey of the ‘forest villa’ contains an apartment with a large loggia. The three-storey volume is elevated 1 metre above ground level, resting upon a basement in which the garage and other areas such as studios and guestrooms are accommodated, adjoining the patio. Due to the fact that all the pipes and conduits are concentrated in the core, the layout of the apartments has remained flexible. This will lead to mutual differences between the buildings, which will reinforce the villa-village character of the project.
The architecture of the buildings is based on a simple form and on transparency. The façades are alternately of glass and wood, which further strengthens the relationship with the forest. The many glass panels maximize the views of the wooded landscape from the houses. The wooden panels accentuate the kinship with the forest as well as guaranteeing the privacy of the residents. The open area around the buildings is laid out as a real wood and will be adopted into the landscape as much as possible.