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The H.W. Mesdagplein Transformation

A Manifestation of the 'Design Guideline Liveability of Public Space'

On September 1, 2023, we proudly unveiled the transformation of the H.W. Mesdagplein, nestled in the heart of the Schildersbuurt in Groningen.

In collaboration with the municipality of Groningen and local inhabitants, Felixx applied the innovative approach of the NEW SPACE. Design Guideline Liveability of Public Space, to create a strategy for the squares of the Schildersbuurt. It was the unanimous choice of the residents to prioritize the rejuvenation of H.W. Mesdagplein as the first square to be further designed and realized this year.

The Design Guideline 

The Design Guideline is a document that serves to inspire and offers a new perspective on our public spaces. The Guide proposes a design method in which mobility is no longer normative but where accessibility, safety, perception, health, social interaction, ecology, climate adaptation, economics and cultural history together make up the street. By naming these ten dimensions at the outset, a new balance between all these interests is created.

H.W. Mesdagplein

Inspired by this guideline, residents of the Schildersbuurt collaborated with the municipality of Groningen for the phased transformation of their streets and squares. A participatory trajectory has been organized for residents of the Schildersbuurt to determine which of the ten dimensions are crucial for the transformation of the square. During this workshop, residents pointed identity, social interaction, biodiversity and inclusivity as key factors for the redevelopment of the H.W. Mesdagplein. This square plays a pivotal role in the connection of the green zones in order to elevate the biodiversity.

Groningen as a pioneer

Groningen has played a pivotal role in changing the way we think about Dutch cities. The compact city, which is only increasing in density, and the surrounding villages all have an impact on the use of space. The current objective to reclaim the public space and improve quality of life within our public spaces is part of a wider public debate on how we design our urban areas. This gives Groningen the opportunity once again to play a groundbreaking role.

Future perspective

The design guideline provides a future perspective for the municipality of Groningen, including the city, with public spaces that encourage use, play, and social interaction. The renewal of the H.W. Mesdagplein marks just the beginning of our commitment to improving the quality of life in our community and its surroundings. After consulting with residents, attention will also be given to other squares in the Schildersbuurt in the future. The Jozef Israëlsplein, Taco Mesdagplein, and the Melkweg have been selected for redevelopment.

Location

Groningen

List
  1. Felixx announces the appointment of four new associate-partners
  2. Argentinian delegation explores Edible Neighborhood Rijnvliet
  3. Cartagena Co-Design Session
  4. HabitatX Exhibition
  5. Open Office Day
  6. National Architecture Day
  7. Grand Opening Campus Eemsdelta
  8. Rijnvliet wins WLA Honour Award 2023
  9. Jonas wins BNA Building of the Year 2023 Award
  10. Rijnvliet Edible Neighborhood Finalist A+ Architizer Award
  11. STRATEGIC GREEN PLAN LEUVEN
  12. BEST BUILDING OF THE YEAR
  13. NATIONAL PUBLIC SPACE MANAGEMENT CONGRESS
  14. JONAS NOMINATED FOR AMSTERDAM ARCHITECTURE PRIZE 2023
  15. LIV HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARD FOR THE UNBOUND
  16. FELIXX SELECTED FOR FUTURE-PROOF DESIGN OF THE EUROPAWEG
  17. WATER AS LEVERAGE CARTAGENA
  18. Tree planting day
  19. Brainport Industries Campus
  20. Almere Centre Vision 2040
  21. Gufunes competition published
  22. Healthy Ageing Campus Groningen
  23. Jonas Wins Again
  24. BSD featured in New York Times
  25. Eemsdelta Campus ready for construction
  26. Blokker-site Gouda redeveloped into a mixed-use urban district
  27. East Dike Shenzhen’s demonstration zone open to public
  28. Heading towards completion!
  29. Felixx works online!
  30. Tree planting event in Rijnvliet Zuid!
  31. Jonas has won two BREEAM Awards 2020!
  32. Rapid progress of the construction of our East Dike project in Shenzhen!
  33. Selected for the strategic development plan of Bodø!
  34. Construction works of Shenzhen's East Dike is progressing successfully!
  35. Construction Jonas has started!
  36. News from the nursery
  37. KCAP + Felixx win competition to ‘typhoon-proof’ Shenzhen’s East coast
  38. Felixx presents Isle of Dikes
  39. Construction has started at Tuinen van West, Amsterdam
  40. Spatenstich in Alpen!
  41. Brainport Smart District launched!
  42. Team De Unie+Felixx designs the Eemsdelta Campus
  43. Definitive Design for Jonas Approved
  44. Felixx contributing to Dutch pavilion for Dubai Expo 2020
  45. Felixx part of the UNStudio team envisaging The City of the Future
  46. 'Dutch architects plant trees into huge 3D printed sample tubes'
  47. Start test phase 3D printed tree pots for Food Innovation Strip
  48. Felixx part of the team to develop Floating Gardens
  49. Selected for the Brainport Smart District
  50. Construction in Alpen will start soon
  51. Closure New Town Lab
  52. Transformation Silk Factory
  53. New Town Lab
  54. Presentation Results Darmstadt 2030+
  55. First Mock-Up 3D Pot
  56. Start 3D printing
  57. Green Icons
  58. Development Strategy Schiekwartier
  59. Food Innovation Strip
  60. Darmstadt 2030+
  61. Felixx presented 1/1 scale models of the special designed furniture
  62. Felixx and MLA+ selected for regeneration Buji River
  63. Open oproep 003401
  64. Het Eiland van Dordrecht
  65. FELIXX + CITYFÖRSTER selected for the competition for Dietenbach
  66. Felixx en Afrique!
  67. Featured in Garten+Landschaft
  68. Public space design guidelines for Food Innovation Strip in Ede-Wageningen approved
  69. Construction in progress
  70. Reinventing Dharavi published
  71. S4 Highway
  72. Book publication ‘BNA Licht Verdicht’
  73. New cultural center in Tiel is nearing completion
  74. Selected for the Open Call: Urban Planning for extremes!
  75. Selected for 2nd round in ‘Who Cares’ competition
  76. COA Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Ter Apel officially opened
  77. Felixx in Wuhan
  78. Russian Open at Pakhuis de Zwijger
  79. Open Oproep 0032-07
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  81. de Architekten Cie. + FELIXX have won the competition for the spatial development strategy
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