The water square combines water storage with the improvement of the quality of urban public space. The water square can be understood as a twofold strategy. It makes money invested in water storage facilities visible and enjoyable. It also generates opportunities to create environmental quality and identity to central spaces in neighborhoods. Most of the time the water square will be dry and in use as a recreational space.
On the Benthemsquare the first water square has been realised. In an intense participatory trajectory with the local community we jointly conceived ideas about the square: students and teachers of the Zadkine college and the Graphic Lyceum; members of the adjacent church, youth theatre and David Lloyd gym; inhabitants of the Agniese neighborhood, all took part. In three workshops we discussed possible uses, desired atmospheres and how the storm water can influence the square. All agreed: the water square should be a dynamic place for young people, lots of space for play and lingering, but also nice, green intimate places. And what about the water? This had to be excitingly visible while running over the square: detours obligatory! The enthusiasm of the participants helped us to make a very positive design.
Three basins collect rain water: two undeep basins for the immediate surroundings will receive water whenever it rains, one deeper basin receives water only when it consistently keeps raining. Here the water is collected from the larger area around the square. Rainwater is transported via large stainless steel gutters into the basins. The gutters are special features, they are oversized steel elements fit for skaters. Two other special features bring storm water on to the square: a water wall and a rain well. Both dramatically gush the rain water visibly onto the square. The rain well is designed as a special beginning to the stainless steel gutter lifting itself from the ground. This well brings the water from the adjacent building into the gutter. The water wall brings the water from further away into the deep basin. Here a rhythm of waterfalls is being directed in relation to the amount of water falling from the sky. Two more water extras complete the picture. An open air baptistery is placed next to the church that is situated on the square. Here a small fountain starts from which the water meanders over the square into one of the undeep basins. And in the deep basin we “join the pipe” and plant a drinking fountain for all thirsty athletes to enjoy.
When its dry, the square is a feast for active youth to sport, play and linger. The first undeep basin is fit for everybody on wheels and whoever wants to watch them doing their thing. The second undeep basin will contain an island with a smooth “so you think you can dance” floor. The deep (third) basin is a true sports pit fit for football, volleyball and basketball, and is set up like a grand theatre to sit, see and be seen. On each entrance we create more intimate places to sit and linger. The planting plan emphasizes the beautiful existing trees. We plant high grasses and wild flowers surrounding the trees framed by a concrete border at seating height to offer many informal places to relax here.
The color scheme emphasizes the function of the water square: all that can flood is painted in shades of blue and all that transports water is shiny stainless steel. This means gutters receive extra attention and are made beautiful. And the floors of the three basins are painted in blue colors that match with the colors of the surrounding. The space is gently defined and subdivided by a green structure that makes a difference in planting colors between the entrances and the centre of the square. Our water square creates a new context for the great modern building of the architect Maaskant and allows the fantastic artwork of Karel Appel to receive more attention.
Process:
We invented the typology of the water square in 2005 for the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) “The Flood”. A typological research by design on water squares was carried out by us in 2006-2007. The water square became official policy on an urban scale in the “Rotterdam Waterplan 2” in 2007. A pilot study was carried out in 2008-2009. In 2010 our graphic novel “De Urbanisten and the Wondrous Water square” was published by 010, Rotterdam. In 2011 the preliminary design for the Benthemsquare has been made. In 2012 we finished the final design and construction started. On December 4th 2013 the water square has been officially openend.
Location: Rotterdam (north of centre), the Netherlands
Client: City of Rotterdam: Rotterdam Climate Initiative
supported by Waterboard Schieland & Krimpenerwaard
Authors: DE URBANISTEN
Projectarchitect: Florian Boer
Designers: Roberto Schumacher, Jens Jorritsma, Eduardo Marín,
Tim Peeters, Dirk van Peijpe
Collaborators: City of Rotterdam: Engineering Bureau
Project management: City of Rotterdam: Project Management Bureau
Construction management: City of Rotterdam: Engineering Bureau
Producing firms: Wallaard, coordinating construction firm
Wallaard, concrete works of the basins
Wallaard, underground water management infrastructure
ACO, construction stainless steel gutters and ledlights
Topcourts, coloring of the basins
Anouk Vogel, artwork/baptistery
Municipal nursery, planting and additional trees
Date of Project: Design: 2011-2012
Date of Construction: 2012- 2013 (finished on December 4th 2013)
Budget: 4.5 million euros including:
larger underground infrastructures (pipes and waterpumps)
engineering, tendering and communication budgets
Surface area: total: 9.500 m2 (including street and parking)
effective square: 5.500 m2
offering 1.800 m3 temporal water storage
Photographers: all illustrations by DE URBANISTEN
photos by Ossip van Duivenbode, pallesh+azarfane and De Urbanisten (Florian Boer & Eduardo Marin)
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