Woningbouw Bosrijk Eindhoven

Thomas Bedaux

Abstract

The ‘Groenplaats Bosrijk’ (literally ‘green place’ Bosrijk) is part of the Eindhoven district Meerhoven, situated on former army land. The park-like terrain derives its name from the monumental array of trees. The trees and open green spaces form the backbone of the urban design scheme by Karres en Brands: various housing clusters have been slotted into the landscape like autonomous units, or like ‘sculptures in a sculpture garden’. Each cluster is tailored to its specific location, which produces a great variety of development, dwelling type and size and living environment.

Bedaux De Brouwer Architecten designed three of the clusters. An open field at the heart of the area, lined by ancient chestnut trees, has been developed with low, semisunken patio houses, built in groups of four on top of an underground car park. Along one short and one long side of this field are two rows of associated houses, their front elevation facing the road and the rear overlooking the field with the patio houses.

The shorter row is made up of ten spacious dwellings (ca. 190 m2) along a communal forecourt, separated from the road by a low wall with a garage behind it. The longer row has a similar layout, except that the houses are a bit smaller (ca.170 m2) and have no forecourt: the 19 dwellings are slightly elevated and built on top of a car park.