The aim was to teach kids at Buurthuis de Bol how to build, in three workshops adding up to something that will have a lasting impact on the community. With the input and wishes from the volunteers and employees from De Bol, the design proposes a community garden and exterior furniture, opening up a large part of the wide sidewalk in front of the community center. De Tuin van de Bol will become a public square built by the community, with benches, planters and an activities column to announce their events and be more visible in the neighborhood.

The main premise of the workshops was to give local residents a feeling of ownership, and responsibility over the long-term management of the public garden. In addition, the workshops offer an educational program for the local youth and kids – teaching a new generation how to shape their environment with their own hands.

All materials used are reclaimed. The large poplar beams and larch columns are from trees logged and processed in the city by Stadshout, the tiles are kept on-site forming the border of the planters, the benches are sample CLT blocks donated by a conference on timber construction, and the organic biocomposite panels are prototypes for a facade panel.

“Mogen we vandaag weer bouwen..?”