Public space Cohenlaan

The outdoor area around the residential building can be divided into two types. An inner courtyard and a garden surrounding the building. The outdoor spaces are similar in layout and design, the garden surrounding the building is designed for extensive use and the courtyard for more intensive use. The surrounding garden consists of lawn in which large areas of ornamental grasses are represented in an orthogonal pattern. In each planter has been proposed one type of grass. The grasses have a low maintenance and have a beautiful ornamental value during all seasons. The interior has a mix of perennials, bulbs and grasses presented in an orthogonal pattern of denser planting areas. The planting areas are on different levels, increasing the difference in height which is present between the eastern and western flank of the building dissolved in a natural way. The steps and edges of the planting areas as inviting sitting edges. The planting areas also act as a buffer to the private exterior spaces of the house. The courtyard is open to the public on both the north and the south. Around the building the existing trees will be retained. In the courtyard birch trees are suggested . The material of the pavement and sitting edges also ties in with the color scheme of the building. The sitting edges consist of wood like the warm interior of the building. The pavement is presented in a white decorative concrete in different formats. Rainwater from the building can be collected in the outside space and be reused as watering of the planters.

year of design: 2016

location: Utrecht, the Netherlands

in collaboration with: Bakers Architecten

client: De De Realisatie