The island Meerstad

To the east of the city of Groningen lies the urban development district of Meerstad. A neighbourhood where everything revolves around the perception and the use of water. The Island project forms a rather special place within the district. The Island will have a robust, development of 27 interlinked ground-level homes. It is entirely surrounded by water, edged with jetties and fringes of reeds. The buildings have been situated at the edge of the island and the residences have been spaciously designed with a garden and jetty in extension of the living room. In this way a superb living experience to the water is created.

The homes have been designed as a coherent whole in a light creamy white brick with wood accentuations. It reminds one of a Mediterranean atmosphere, providing a permanent holiday feeling. The architecture is a strong ensemble, but each side of the island is slightly different and harmonised to the orientation. There is an interspersion of individual free-standing interlinked houses, semi-detached houses and a section with several wide terraced houses. All property fencing has been incorporated in the design and is implemented in brickwork with storage space. At the corners there will be large residences with bold end walls facing the water. Here, part of the terrace is covered and the quay has a bricked-up jetty to enhance the robust character of the island.