Information

Cruquius Estate, a beautiful landscape estate from the 60s designed by the famous landscape architect Hans Warnau, used to be the home of SEIN, a healthcare institution for epilepsy patients. According to the idea of ‘reverse integration’, the estate is now being redeveloped as Wickevoort Estate by realizing an additional distinguished housing program and a community farm on the estate premises. VenhoevenCS was commissioned by AM to make the master plan and related architectural guidelines. Ton Venhoeven is currently involved as supervisor to guide other architects’ designs. Besides that, VenhoevenCS is architect of ‘De Erven’, the first housing project completed in 2021.

Estate Principle

The new layout of Wickevoort Estate is based on the existing landscape qualities and the exceptional setting. The master plan maximizes the landscape and respects existing trees and plants as much as possible. The main structure is based on what is called the ‘Estate Principle’: two main gates and flanking buildings give access to the main lanes, and two monumental and strategically positioned corner buildings provide for orientation in the asymmetric design of the estate.

The main roads are bicycle lanes and footpaths: a central bicycle lane connects the estate with neighbouring nature reserves and the many foot paths provide ample opportunities for an encounter with neighbours, shortcuts, playing kids, or a walk with the dog. To create a peaceful and sustainable area and in the meantime ensure the safety of the patients, the plan is almost car-free while also keeping parked cars out of sight as much as possible. Typical elements as brick walls, gates and bridges are added to suggest a sense of enclosure without creating a gated community.

The masterplan can be divided in two parts, separated by water. The houses in the North section, where construction already started, are designed in short rows and as villas in a beautiful landscape setting. In the Southern part, on the original estate premises, existing trees, gardens bordered by green hedges and paths are important structuring elements.

In harmony with nature

Following the architectural guidelines, all new housing projects are oriented towards the surrounding landscape. Houses are preferably placed directly in the landscape, without roads, front doors or front gardens. The landscape becomes part of the garden, and vice versa. To enjoy nature and promote outdoor living, the addition of verandas, balconies, terraces and bay windows is highly recommended. By using earth colors and natural materials – with white as an accent – the architecture will have a minimalistic and serene character to achieve a harmonious combination with the natural beauty of the site.

Circular Economy

A robust ecosystem is key, with extensive attention for biodiversity and the quality of soil, water and the choice of trees and greenery. Wickevoort Estate also contributes to a circular economy with collective and private vegetable gardens and many other collective spaces and services. All houses are net zero energy homes and there is a car sharing service. With houses and apartments ranging from affordable to upper middle class, we aim to create an open, mixed income community.

Community

The SEIN healthcare institution and its inhabitants have been given new accommodation on the site. The new Wickevoort Estate and the excisting amenities – such as the horse-riding school, petting zoo and swimming pool- will soon be used by both patients and new residents. Besides, a new community farm will provide food and extra services while giving both patients and residents the possibility to help in the vegetable gardens. Wickevoort Estate will thus become a sustainable, productive and contemporary estate with plenty of green space to enjoy outdoor community life.