Project Name: Living on Terheijl Estate
Location: Leek-Terheijl, The Netherlands
Category: Academic
Project Team: Arnold Panman, Carlos Dias, Danny Hoevers, Harald Wijnia, Ludo Dings, Marc de Vrij and Patrick Hulshof
Project Year: 2011

The project area is a large agricultural zone where crops grow and cattle roam. The analysis concluded that this unique location, between the estates of Nienoord and Mensinge, and next to the former estate of Terheijl seeks for a new identity. Due to this circumstances and the quality of the place, the proposal declare the whole area as “land of the estates” connecting all of them as a recreational and green corridor between Leek and Roden.

The existing landscape and green structures are very typical in this area so they were kept as a quality and character of this place. The estate of Terheijl will be revived and renewed. It will be a new urban settlement between the villages of Leek, Nietap and Roden, with an own identity.

The vision to this place was to create the estate atmosphere on the way of living, achieved by the experience of different surroundings like open fields, community parks and forest.

The new urban settlements will provide around 250 households. The core of the project is the estate building and it develops in rings of green and urban structures towards the landscape. The new urban area is putting his arm around the old estate. Various structures cross the landscape to connect the new neighborhood with its surroundings. Main roads are connected with the urban infrastructure of the area to secure a good mobility and accessibility.

The new development is based on the allure of an estate with a wide range of housing types. The community park will cross the area in a sustainable way while is being used for recreation and aesthetics.

This once lost place without identity will turn into an attractive landscape where people can live, recreate and work, surrounded by nature, near the city centre.