The Netherlands

West 8 urban design & landscape architecture b.v.

Nico Koomanskade 1021
3072 LM Rotterdam
The Netherlands

+31 (0) 10 485 5801

Belgium

West 8 Brussels urban design & landscape architecture bvba

Waaienberg 123
1745 Opwijk
Belgium

+31 (0) 10 485 5801

United States

West 8 urban design & landscape architecture p.c.

2133 Arch Street, Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19103
United States of America

+1 347 371 2252

Urban Transformation with Distinctive Character

Nieuw Kralingen, Rotterdam, NL

Transforming Nieuw Kralingen into a true city district with a romantic and warm character, seamlessly connected with the nearby green Kralingse Bos and Kralingse Plas: a new residential area on the northeast side of Rotterdam, located on the former business park ‘Boezembocht.’

West 8’s design vision demonstrates a differentiated neighbourhood with a wide variety of housing typologies. It accumulates several benefits: the comfort and safety of a modern and spacious neighbourhood, great connections with the city centre and the recreational areas, and an atmosphere that draws inspiration from the distinctive qualities of the wider Kralingen area.

Nieuw Kralingen is a neighbourhood with winding streets and lanes, mostly consisting of low-rise housing. Only on the outer borders, apartment complexes of up to four levels high are planned. The streets offer views of the edges of the forest, while one lane overlooks the Kralingse Plas and its two windmills. The forest paths are extended into the neighbourhood, providing tangible connections to nature.

Programme
Nieuw Kralingen is considered the largest urban expansion within the Rotterdam ring road within the next years. A maximum of 800 homes will be built in the coming years. The city of Rotterdam aims to increase its supply of centrally located spacious homes and respond to the demand of families and senior citizens with higher incomes.  On the north side, a new business park will be created as a transition between the current one and the new homes.

Supervision
The design vision is the result of more than one and a half years of research in which entrepreneurs, citizens and local government representatives were asked for advice. It includes spatial and technical preconditions and formulates the ambitions for sustainability and quality.

Multiple architects will be appointed to design individual houses or housing blocks. West 8 will supervise their work to accomplish a coherent appearance while stimulating both architectural diversity and a timeless character.

Client
ONCK / Heijmans and ERA Contour

Imagery
© West 8