't Leliepark | Ibelings van Tilburg architecten

‘T LELIEPARK, GOUDA, the Netherlands

Diverse residential development with respect for the landscape

Right mix of housing types encourages mobility             

The 't Leliepark project comprises the demolition of 144 outdated apartments dating from the 1950s, and the construction of 152 larger rented and owner-occupied accommodations, distributed over an apartment building, 19 family homes and three residential towers. For the municipality of Gouda this project is the first step towards achieving their ambition to improve the quality and differentiation of housing in the Korte Akkeren residential area. It offered an opportunity to improve the neighbourhood by adding houses that are more expensive and of better quality, as well as lifetime homes and housing for elderly people. This balanced mix will stimulate mobility on the housing market, which will be beneficial to the entire area. Also, together with the Gemiva-SVG Group, various accommodations have been made available for mildly mentally handicapped people.

Attractive landscape

One of the starting points for our design was to find a way to make use of the quality of the landscape at the edges of the area and provide the neighbourhood with views of the water and the green environment. The casual positioning of the three towers - arranged by ascending height- opens the area to its surroundings. This aspect is further strengthened by green slopes and a long bench along the  Molensloot dike. In line with this approach, particular attention was paid to protecting the habitat of local animal species like bullfrogs, grass snakes and bats.  Several eye-catching buildings in the area, such as the Mallemolen (an old windmill) and the old pumping station were restored and have been integrated into the design. The loggia's of the residential towers are facing south with a view of these historic buildings and the river Gouwe behind them.

Diverse types of housing

The different types of housing in 't Leliepark create a varied appearance, but at the same time various connecting elements provide an unmistakable cohesion. The red brick apartment building consist of 34 apartments. 19 of these - on the ground and first floors - are ‘sheltered living’  accommodations for people with multiple mental disabilities. The next three floors are rented homes and on the slightly receding top floor a number of penthouses with roof terraces can be found. The three residential blocks are arranged by height in ascending order and together contain 99 apartments. The angular brick facades that are facing the neighbourhood match the existing buildings, while towards the landscape the buildings present a curved slate-covered facade. The family homes have - like the other buildings - aluminium clad roof overhangs and frames with extra wide window sills. The front yard boundaries are made of red brick. 

Harmonious incorporation into the surroundings

The urban design for 't Leliepark aims at integrating the new buildings harmoniously with the existing buildings. The apartment building and the family homes link up with the existing family homes that border on 't Leliepark, and form an architectural extension of the neighbouring Vogelwijk. At the south-western edge, along the water, the residential towers are a continuation of the towers of the adjacent care centre.  Underneath and between the residential towers lies a parking garage that is partially incorporated in the slope of the dike. The garage has a moss-sedum roof.

Together with local residents

The local residents were closely involved in the project. The ‘sounding board’ of the residents was frequently invited for discussions, which sometimes resulted in adjustment of the original plans. For example, the original plans included two apartment buildings, one of which has been replaced by 19 family homes, in part at the request of the ‘sounding board’.
The noise levels of the nearby industrial estate were also a point of concern in the final design. Normally, the side of a building that faces a source of noise pollution should be constructed as a ‘deaf facade’, with windows that cannot be opened. However, by designing the apartments with bay windows facing away from the industrial estate, we were able to use windows that can be opened

Colophon

Location: Uiverplein, Gouda
Client: Woonpartners Midden-Holland, Waddinxveen
Project architect: Marc Ibelings
Start of construction April 2007, completion in several phases from start until middle 2009

Surface area apartments: 46 m2, 109 m2 and 92 m2
Surface area apartments in residential towers: 100 m2, 96 m2 and 82 m2
Surface area family homes: 122 m2