Alongside the Schie

Since 2011, an empty field on the Delfshavensche Schie in Rotterdam has been waiting for development. The public space near the Schie offers opportunities for a coherent park on the banks of the Delfhavensche Schie and possibilities to connect with the rest of the area. Commissioned by Woonstad Rotterdam and the municipality of Rotterdam, Felixx developed a design for the public space for the apartment buildings 'Samen aan de Schie'. The development of the riparian zone creates an attractive, green residential landscape for existing and future residents. The park is an elongated area. The striking location at the foot of the Spanish bridge forms the western entrance to the garden city Overschie. At the head of the planning area, in a rolling green landscape bordering the Blijvenburgstraat and the extended Dyxmanstraat, the two pavilion-like, sustainable residential towers, designed by WE architects, will be realized. The towers provide 76 new private sector rental homes.   VIVID RIVER BANK PARK The landscape around the residential towers will consist of a sloping landscape with flowery grass hills. The existing dike body on the bank remains visible and enters into a relationship with the newly created sloping landscape. The flowery grass hills create a natural and scenic transition zone between public and private and form an aesthetic element at the plinth of the residential towers. Due to the sloping landscape, the storage areas will be below ground level. The main entrances and the indoor outdoor spaces of the houses on the ground floor also connect directly to the landscape. Furnishing elements such as seating, stepping stones and height differences enable social encounters and active use of the area.   RAIN GARDEN The design principles for the residential landscape are based on existing area elements, but also offer opportunities for implementing new, climate-adaptive measures. For example, the so-called Rain Garden ensures sustainable water collection and infiltration in the area and new green structures, planting and a diverse range of trees enhance biodiversity. Some existing trees that had to make way for the residential towers are compensated elsewhere in the park. New trees that vary in species and (ultimate) size. The basis for the area is formed by a layer of grass that varies in height, intensively mown grass and flowery grassland. A slow traffic connection runs right through the area. The semi-paved Parkpad connects the two residential towers and serves as an exit road to the surrounding neighborhood and parking facilities.