Sanneke van Wijk

New life: How work and life strengthen each other in the Plaspoelpolder.

The number of vacant offices in the Netherlands is increasing dramatically. Much of the offices stay empty structurally. Even if the economy will pick back up, not all office buildings can be rented. The prospects for structural vacancy are not good. The labour force does not grow anymore and the influences of a new way of working are becoming more and more visible everyday.

One of the areas in the Netherlands that is overgrown with weeds and taped windows is the Plaspoelpolder in Rijswijk. This area, situated next to the A4 highway, has developed strongly since the 1950s. Today, the buildings look outdated and the site loses competition with better profiled highway locations. Mainly because it does not have a clear profile. Furthermore, the high vacancy rate further decreases the image of the area. The result: even more companies decide to move away from Rijswijk. The Plaspoelpolder is stuck in a vicious circle that must be interrupted.

The existing structure of the Plaspoelpolder offers qualities that can be used to make living possible. Building dwellings in the Plaspoelpolder could be an alternative for the housing plans of the municipality of Rijswijk. Do not start from scratch in a polder, but reuse the existing structure of this industrial area, enabling Rijswijk to make use of the city in a sustainable way. The Plaspoelpolder offers sufficient space for living. Still, at the moment this space is mostly captured by buildings.

The mixed nature of the Plaspoelpolder can be strengthened by retaining the strong businesses and supplementing them with dwellings that fit in terms of scale and size. New life will come to the Plaspoelpolder and create synergy between new residents and existing businesses.

My graduation plan includes a transformation strategy in which the Plaspoelpolder transforms from a work location to a mix of living and working. The framework builds on the qualities of the site and its surroundings. A clear hierarchy returns, the ‘green’ connection between the two parks is strengthened and the park – located at the southern part of the A4 – is extended to the Plaspoelpolder. At last, the link is made between the fine structure of the pre-war Rijswijk and the coarse scale of the neighborhoods that were built after the war.

Developments can take place within the framework. The mixed character and diversity in the type of businesses require a multi-faceted approach. International companies such as Shell, the European Patent Office and the Beurs Haaglanden are encouraged to add public value to their monofunctional functions. In the heart, where many offices are situated, the buildings are redesignated or redeveloped and aim for an optimal mix of dwellings and offices. There, searching for combinations of homes and offices within every block is important.

The inner world is characterized by the many dynamic companies that are located there. Individuals or collectives will be able to buy a lot themselves and do with it whatever they want. Think of starting a new business or just living there freely. The goal is to find a form of collectivity in the public space where residents can benefit from the small businesses and vice versa.