Ringdijkpark - Schiphol Haarlemmermeer

Completion of extensive landscape park on the edge of Schiphol Airport.

Landscape park on the edge of Schiphol airport
Spatial concept Ringdijkpark

Landscapes in dialogue

The context is a palimpsest of overlapping calibration moments in spatial development. The landscape entities of this piece of typical Dutch landscape (ring canal, dyke and polder) will not be swept away but will enter into dialogue with the future spatial design of the Ringdijkpark.

The first step is to listen to the place, granting insight into how the place can naturally incorporate contemporary functions and wishes in its own way. Existing landscape values are enhanced, thus blending with contemporary functions. A true neighbourhood park is created, grafted onto this specific and special place.

Spatial and social

The site is a long-stretched zone between historic housing on the Ringdijk and the economic activities of Schiphol Airport. The Ringdijkpark design allows two diverse functions (living and working) to take place at a short distance from each other. All without affecting each other in their core tasks. The Ringdijkpark design, in the quest for its perfection, goes beyond placing a buffer between the two functions. It simultaneously creates a recreational, social, aesthetic and ecological green hem. A green space with a story that provides intensive added value at the neighbourhood level but can also contribute to the larger picture of recreational networks and spatial structures. The Ringdijkpark will soon form the hinge point between the Ringvaart and Geniepark (part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam).

Zicht op de promenade met zit- en speelelementen
Zoning map

Dynamic and future-proof park.

The shifting of land creates a hilly park and forms the basis of the spatial buffer towards Schiphol Oost. The soil for this interplay of slopes comes from the water body to be created. The water surface, a silent space where fauna and flora celebrate victory. A water square that keeps recreationalists away from the dyke homes. In a simple and logical way, all desired activities and boundary conditions nestle effortlessly into the Ringdijkpark. The design of Ringdijkpark guides the functions of the park. From the ring dyke follows first a ditch then a dyke (the back path for the dyke homes), the open grand water, the open fields for numerous activities, the raised promenade with seating areas, to then conclude with the play of slopes with rich planting. All this is enclosed on this side by an avenue of trees.

Sustainability of the park is in its future-proofing. The powerful interplay of lines and the spatial configuration thus created is the basis for a dynamic existence of the Ringdijkpark.

Zicht vanaf het pad over het speelveld en de verhoogde promenade
View of the park and open water from the new dyke

Landschapspark aan de rand van de luchthaven Schiphol

Location
Schiphol Haarlemmermeer
Status
Implemented
Client
S.A.D.C. - gemeente Haarlemmermeer
Steven Delva
Sander van den Bosch