“De Oostvaarders”, nature education center in Almere, The Netherlands by Van Veen Architecten

Article source: Van Veen Architecten

Nature-education-centre “The Oostvaarders” is situated in a unique nature reserve in Europe: The Oostvaardersplassen in Almere, The Netherlands. The building is constructed at a junction of various landscapes with the different characters of land, water, forest and reedfields. To serve a wide audience there is an information room, classroom, panorama-room, restaurant and representative meeting-room: the new icon of Almere-Buiten.

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

• Architects: Van Veen Architecten
• Project: De Oostvaarders, nature education center
• Location: Almere, The Netherlands

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

The Oostvaarders presents itself in two different ways. From the parking the shape is inviting, like a vertical beacon rising from the plain. By contrast, the shape from the lakeside is horizontal, connecting with the extensive dyke and water.

On the first floor the panorama-room, with a large horizontal window, gives a great view over the lake. The entrance of the building is situated at the foot of the dyke. From the entrance the visitor climbs the stairs through the building, ultimately rising above the dyke, into the crow’s nest: an exterior vantage point on the roof overlooking the landscape. This movement is emphasized by a continuous sightline through the building that connects the entrance and the ‘nest’.

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

In order to minimize a disruption in the surrounding natural environment, the building time was reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the building is constructed in prefab, massive, wooden walls and floors. The LenoTec walls are fabricated in Finnland. The use of these prefabricated elements made an eight meter overhang over the lake possible. In addition, wood is a light material with a high insulation. The natural expression of this material remains visible in the interior, like in a wooden cottage.

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

Image Courtesy © Van Veen Architecten

The facades are constructed of prefab, timbered pinewood, elements in different patterns and textures. The perforations in the facade vary in direction and size. By framing the view everytime in a different way, the visitor will learn to observe the environment.

Tags: Almere, The Netherlands

Category: Educational Center

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