NHL University Park by OKRA
Project: Environment of the NHL University part of the park area to the EE in Leeuwarden
Landscape Architecture: OKRA in collaboration with Herman Hertzberger and Cor Kruter
Architecture: Studio Herzberger
Client: NHL University
Area: 3.7 hectare
Implementation public space: 1.3 million excluding VAT
Constructed: July 2009
For the new location of the NHL University OKRA has made, in association with Architecture Studio Hertzberger, the design for the exterior space. This consists of a solid green carpet laid out as a counterpart to the imposing building. The green grass and trees continue under the building connecting the inner and outer worlds together. A spider-like network of routes and places creates an extension of the building from inside to outside.
The large building is situated in a relatively small location as part of the park area along the river EE in Leeuwarden. The landscape aims to connect the space under the building by means of green turf that seamlessly merges to the character of the park where many cherry and birch trees can be found planted in the grass. The tree mass and the ubiquitous grass creates the experience of the garden from everywhere within the transparent building. In one corner of the building is a natural pond introduced as a stepping-stone for bats between the park and the EE.
Is that real grass?