Chasse Park

View of the black and white triangular granite plates in the public square.

Project Details

• Project Name: Chasse Park
• Project Type: Landscape design
• Design Team: Adriaan Geuze, Edzo Bindels, Edwin van der Hoeven, Freek Boerwinkel, Maarten van der Voorde
• Location of site: Breda, Netherlands
• Total Site Area: 18 hectares
• Year of commencement of project: 2000
• Year of completion of project: 2005

View of the public square atop the parking space.

The Project

The Chasse-terrain is designed with an attempt to allow it to emerge as a green enclave within Breda's city centre. The design thus commenced with the planting of oak trees to provide a connecting fringe to the individual buildings, thus weaving them into a coherent unit. To revive the area further, residential buildings are projected to be constructed on the grounds of the former military barracks, along with a local government office, theatre and a museum.

Oak trees are planted along the edge to weave the varied buildings into a singlular edge.

Chasse-terrain's identity is primarily determined by two prominent pedestrian zones within it- the park and the square. The base layer of the park's campus plan is made up of large grass fields that bind together the loose buildings. Oak trees are planted here as well to provide a sense of continuity and character. The original chestnut and linden trees are incorporated as unique elements into the newly created oak forest where they emerge as counterpoints, individually highlighted for effect.

View of the Chasse Park amidst its urban context.

The buildings in the park stand anchor onto the grass and are encircled by a winding path made up of gebakken klinkers. The parking space is tucked under the buildings. The Chasse-terrain thus emerges, for the most part, as a low traffic area with an open and informal atmosphere, crossed by a network of paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

Play of material within a constrained colour palette lends the design its distinct style.

The parking garage roof provides the surface for the hard park or square which in turn is articulated by a series of black and white triangular granite plates. Wide strips of asphalt pronounce the edges and fold lines of the square and are cut through with thin sections of granite creating an exciting play of lines. The granite plates are not only extremely durable but also are aesthetically accentuated with time and wear.

View of access way into the square.

The Chasse-terrain is open and accessible to the public, providing for space to walk, play, sit and cycle. In front of the museum is a 40 cm sunken grass field with a seating edge. Park benches are placed in addition to this throughout the park and along the boulevard in front of the museum. Within some of the buildings, enclosed gardens have been created to form introverted meeting places for the inhabitants.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs: Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Varun Ajani