De Oostvaarders

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Project Name: De Oostvaarders
Construction year: 2009
Website: www.deoostvaarders.nl
Address: Oostvaardersbosplaats 1 , ALMERE - Netherlands

Architect(s) : Drost + van Veen architecten (www.drostvanveen.nl)
Project Category: Cultural

Latitude: 52.416
Longitude: 5.29826

De Oostvaarders

Nature-education-centre 'The Oostvaarders' is situated in a unique nature reserve in Europe. The building is constructed at a junction of various landscapes with the different characters of land, water, forest and reed fields. The Oostvaarders presents itself in two different shapes. From the parking the shape is inviting, like a vertical beacon rising from the plain. On the contrary the shape from the lakeside is horizontal, connecting with the extensive dyke and water. On the first floor the panorama-room gives a great view over the lake. The entrance of the building is situated at the foot of the dyke. From the entrance the visitor climbs the stairs to the crow’s nest: an exterior space to view the environment. In order to minimize a disruption in the surrounding natural environment, the building time was reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the building is constructed in prefab, massive, wooden walls and floors.

Concept

The Oostvaarders presents itself in two different shapes. From the parking the shape is inviting, like a vertical beacon rising from the plain. On the contrary the shape from the lakeside is horizontal, connecting with the extensive dyke and water.

On the first floor the panorama-room, with a large horizontal window, gives a great view over the lake. The entrance of the building is situated at the foot of the dyke. From the entrance the visitor climbs the stairs to the crow’s nest: an exterior space to view the environment. This movement is emphasized by a continous sightline through the building that connects the entrance and the crow’s nest.

Sustainable

In order to minimize a disruption in the surrounding natural environment, the buildingtime was reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the building is constructed in prefab, massive, wooden walls and floors. The LenoTec walls are fabricated in Finnland. The use of these prefabricated elements made an eight meter overhang over the lake possible. In addition, wood is a light material with a high isolation. The natural expression of this material remains visible in the interior, like in a wooden cottage.

Facade

The facades are constructed of prefab, timbered pinewood, elements in different patterns and textures. The perforations in the facade vary in direction and size. By framing the view everytime in a different way, the visitor will learn to observe the environment.

Contributed by ArchiTeam