The Kreken neighbourhood in Zwolle - living like a landscape by Thomas Bartelds

About "The Kreken neighbourhood in Zwolle - living like a landscape"

by Thomas Bartelds

About the artwork

From the sky, a pattern almost reminiscent of a living organism unfolds. This is the Kreken neighbourhood in the Aa-landen, a unique residential area in Zwolle, designed in the 1970s by architect Benno Stegeman. What stands out is the organic design of the neighbourhood: no straight lines or repetition, but a playful rhythm of courtyards, trees and winding paths. A neighbourhood that does not seem designed with a ruler, but rather grown like a landscape.

The Kreken neighbourhood is an example of thinking in human scale and security. Stegeman designed this neighbourhood from the idea that living is more than a roof over your head - it is also being connected to your surroundings, to the greenery, to others. And that can be seen here. The houses are like little islands in a sea of trees, with sheltered courtyards and car-free zones that encourage people to meet.

In this drone photo, taken in the morning sun, the structure of the neighbourhood comes to life beautifully. The low light streaks along the facades, emphasising the depth of the gardens and casting long shadows between the trees. The white domes on the roofs - a characteristic element of the neighbourhood - light up like dots in the rhythm of the building plan. They bring light into the houses, but also add something almost graphic to the image from above.

This photo not only shows what the Kreken neighbourhood looks like, but also what it means: a human-centred neighbourhood, designed with attention and imagination. A neighbourhood you only really understand when you look at it from above.