Energiepark Leiden

new future for historic heritage

Energiepark Leiden is a remarkable part of Leiden on the fringe of the historic city center. It is characterized by its location on the canal and historical heritage featuring the power plant with its striking chimney. This area will transform into a dynamic place where sustainable living, recreation, space for greenery and biodiversity, culture and creativity come together. GROUP A was involved in the development plan, urban characterisation study and structure design of a sub-plan. The designs came about through close cooperation with developers, municipality, designers and residents and users.

GROUP A was commissioned by the Ontwikkel Combinatie Energiepark to develop the urban characterization study as part of the feasibility study of the Energiepark area transformation. With an area vision and location outlines of various subareas as starting points, a coherent design was established. In this design, the integration and positioning in the city center of Leiden, the routing for cyclists and pedestrians, the position and differentiated mass composition of the new buildings, the preservation and reuse of historical heritage, a mobility plan and phasing aspects have been optimally coordinated. The urban characterization study was created in collaboration with the various stakeholders and designers.

Backbone Energiepark
Situated in the midst of the area to be transformed is the large monumental power plant building. For now, the power plant is still in operation and divides the area in two. In the future, the Energiepad, a park promenade for pedestrians, will connect both parts. The Energiepad is spanned between the western entrance to the Energiepark and the Ambachtsplein, a place where crafts, hospitality and makerspaces provide a lively and dynamic environment.

Energetic, Connected and Healthy
The Energiepad also forms the connector between the park and the residential buildings. The new residential neighborhoods have a pleasant living environment with a size and scale that matches the historic city center. Particular attention was paid to creating a living environment that offers opportunities to meet and promote ownership in order for residents to cherish their home. A number of narrow streets, new and restored historic connections, provide a refined urban fabric of routes and strengthen the relationship with the park.

From Core Values to Design Principles
Following the development plan, GROUP A developed the urban characterization study in collaboration with the municipality. This plan is committed to strengthening the contrast between the architectural features of the historic inner city and those of the industrial heritage and more innovative new construction. Commissioned by Steenvlinder, GROUP A created a structural design of a sub-plan with many different housing types.

Facts

Client

OCE (Ontwikkel Combinatie Energiepark), consortium with Steenvlinder, BPD (Bouwfonds Property Development) and MBEG (MeyerBergman Erfgoed Groep)

Assignment

Development plan, urban characterization study and structure design of a sub-plan (assigned by Steenvlinder)

Location

Leiden

Area

ca. 4.5 hectares with a park and ca. 41,000 m2 GFA program

Function

Living, working, makerspace, culture, hospitality and social program

Start design

Q3 2020

Completed

Q4 2022

In collaboration with

OCE, Gemeente Leiden, Erfgoed Leiden, Nieuw Leids Bolwerk, Stijlgroep, GAAGA and Antea Group

Visuals

YuconVR

The makers of this project

Adam Visser

Adam Visser

adam@groupa.nl Architect | Partner

Greetje van den Nouweland

Greetje van den Nouweland

greetje@groupa.nl Urban designer

Federica Padovani

Federica Padovani

federica@groupa.nl Urban designer

Paula Ramos Martinez

Paula Ramos Martinez

paula@groupa.nl Urban designer

Pia Fischer

Pia Fischer

pia@groupa.nl Architect | Projectleader

Maarten Lever

Maarten Lever

maartenlever@groupa.nl Architect | Projectleader

Hala Abi Saad

Hala Abi Saad

hala@groupa.nl Architect | Urban designer

Thijs Meijer

Thijs Meijer

thijs@groupa.nl Junior urbanist

Boyuan Shi

Boyuan Shi

boyuan@groupa.nl Architect