Restructuring of Groeseind, Tilburg

Bleak working-class district with small streets

The old Groeseind was an extremely uniform, bleak district with 380 small, social rental homes, built in the twenties and fifties. The district was characterised by small streets, also used for parking and with very little greenery. At the end of the last century the houses were technically outdated and no longer met the housing requirements of the tenants. Moreover, an industrial estate with businesses, a petrol station and a large textile firm − also located in the area − was a source of great inconvenience. Janssen de Jong Projectontwikkeling, WonenBreburg, Tiwos, Hurks vastgoedontwikkeling and the municipality of Tilburg joined forces to facilitate the transformation of this outdated neighbourhood. De Zwarte Hond designed the master plan and later the urban development plan.

Green space and diversification are the most important restructuring ingredients

The most important means deployed for the restructuring, are the addition of more public green space and the diversification of the housing supply. In addition, a great deal of thought was given to strengthening the existing qualities.

The framework of green, public space forms the basis of the plan. New green streets and squares increase the qualities of the residential environment and form connections between the old and new elements in the neighbourhood. Centrally located in the plan is an elongated park where the local residents can play, spend leisure time and relax. The city’s avenues converge here and are routed round the park. The residential streets are predominantly leisurely in character. Many of them are even closed for through traffic. Private strips between the public pavement and the housing including seating elements invite residents to make intensive use of the outdoor space. Vehicles are parked out of sight in the intervening zones. By using the existing urban fabric, the neighbourhood blends naturally into the district.

Architecture

Nine architects were called in to design the housing for the renovated Groeseind. The determining factors in the urban development plan guaranteed cohesion within the neighbourhood, but no street is the same. Houses with ground-level access and apartment buildings of differing typologies alternate, incorporating a mix of social housing for rent and purchase. The Villament building towers above the low-rise elements, and forms a landmark for the neighbourhood. The housing in the main streets is constructed in cheerful, orange brickwork. A refreshing change compared to the grey bricks prior to the reconstruction.

Committed residents, designers and clients make Groeseind a success

Restructuring processes take a very long time. Having an open dialogue right from the outset generated confidence, commitment and a solution-orientated approach. Many parties were involved, including old and new residents, four sympathetic clients, a pro-active municipality and a large number of designers. De Zwarte Hond – as supervisor in this process − steered the project and guaranteed the quality. “Flexible, but firm” and always seeking a good balance between the different parties and stakeholders, with the organically-generated city in mind.

Architectural firms involved: Aartsen & Partners Architecten, Atelier Brink, AtelierPro, AWG Architecten, Bedaux de Brouwer Architecten, Biq/Hans van de Heijden Architecten, Rijnvos Voorwinde Architecten, Rocha Tombal Architecten and De Zwarte Hond (also landscape design and supervisor).