In recent months our office has attended a variety of study trips and events in the Netherlands. We look forward to incorporating insights from these activities into our projects to create more sustainable places.
Tour of Utrecht
Our Dutch and English offices recently came together to explore the city of Utrecht. We started the tour with a cycle around the city centre and picking up refreshments on the Vaartsche Rijn. We then ventured west towards Merwede the future car-free neighbourhood of 12,000 residents. We took the opportunity to cycle across the stunning ‘Dafne Schippersbrug’, which curves its way up and around a new school, providing a direct walking and cycling between the Leidsche Rijn district and the rest of the city. Touring the Leidsche Rijn, we saw the largest new construction area in the Netherlands.
In the evening, we were delighted to be joined by Daan van Doormaal, the owner and founder of Wildverband. We embarked on a boat tour around Utrecht’s historic centre before gathering for a meal at Bistro Madeleine, then heading to Kafé België for cheese and beers.
Day Trip to Deventer
During a recent day trip to Deventer, we had the opportunity to explore the city with mobility and space experts from Goudappel. The day included a tour of Deventer’s historic centre, where we visited Brink and Grote Kerkhof, two squares that have been transformed from car parks into vibrant public spaces. These areas now host festivals, fairs, and markets, adding to the city’s charm.
We noted their stunning City Hall, the facade features the fingerprints of more than 2,000 residents of the city, acting as an impactful artistic reminder that the city and city hall should aim to serve its citizens above all.
Architects’ Café: Barcam – Exploring the Future of Amsterdam Night Culture
Recently, our team attended the Barcam event titled “The Future of Amsterdam Night Culture” hosted at arcam. We heard from a number of interesting speakers including Freek Wallagh, Amsterdam’s Night Mayor. The event was organised to delve into the intersection of nightlife, architecture, and urban development. The discussion covered current and future challenges facing Amsterdam’s night culture, including the lack of nightlife venues in the city. It covered solutions to support a healthy night-time economy whilst addressing the housing crisis and the needs of the population in the future. The audience and panel drew inspiration from cities such as Berlin, renowned for its support of nightlife through cultural grants and legal protections.
Click here to find out more about Arcam’s next Architects’ Café.
