Subject

Industrial Waterfronts

 

Objective

Merging the fragments of the canal zone of Helmond

 

Location

Helmond (NL)

 

Course

First semester of the course

 

Year

2011

Merging fragments Industrial waterfronts: the Helmond canal zone
Historically, industrial canal zones were intensively used in the XIXth century and were the staging points for the import and export of goods. Enterprises built along the canal waterfront were the major source of wealth for many cities. Nowadays, such wealth has been turned into environmental degradation and toxicity. The void left in many urban waterfronts by these dismissed area attract the full range of expectations; actually, it is a concern what the city is about and or which its needs are. Therefore, to act in these areas is a sort of investigation into the ‘essence’ of the city and enhancement of its spirit at the same time. The design concerns a ‘community center’ proposal for the development of the ‘Kanaalzone’ of Helmond, a former industrial area along the Helmond canal which includes; offices for starters, spaces for workshops and a multi-functional space that could be used for different cultural activities.
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