On the west side of the municipality of Eindhoven, nestled between the A2 motorway and the Beatrix Canal, lies a unique part of Eindhoven: Welschap. Although few residents of Eindhoven are familiar with the area, it has the potential to serve as part of a green, recreational lung for the city.
The Park Welschap plan proposes to largely return the area to nature and to construct a biobased residential building in the center of the area. The aim is to significantly enhance both the ecological and recreational value of the area while also providing a solution to the need for affordable housing.
The Park Welschap plan proposes to largely return the area to nature and to construct a biobased residential building in the center of the area. The aim is to significantly enhance both the ecological and recreational value of the area while also providing a solution to the need for affordable housing.
2023
sketch design
VDL
in cooperation with
Bureau van Nierop
Areven Vastgoedontwikkeling
Areven Vastgoedontwikkeling
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Welschap Golf Course
Despite the presence of many green elements, Welschap Golf Course consists primarily of golf facilities such as greens, parking lots, and the clubhouse. The ecological value of Welschap Golf Course is limited due to the fragmented nature of the green elements, the large number of non-native species, and the low amount of birds and insects.
Although the area is close to the highway, it is not easily accessible by car. The car access points on the north and south sides are not connected, preventing through traffic and making the area low in car traffic. The Welschapsedijk is an important cycling route that runs through Welschap and connects all subareas. Just north of the canal runs a bicycle path that is part of the Slowlane, a cycling route around Eindhoven that connects important Brainport campuses.
Although the area is close to the highway, it is not easily accessible by car. The car access points on the north and south sides are not connected, preventing through traffic and making the area low in car traffic. The Welschapsedijk is an important cycling route that runs through Welschap and connects all subareas. Just north of the canal runs a bicycle path that is part of the Slowlane, a cycling route around Eindhoven that connects important Brainport campuses.
Ambition
The main ambition is to improve the ecological value of the area. This can be achieved by closing the golf course and largely returning it to nature. By opening the private area to the public, Eindhoven residents can actively use this natural environment. Additionally, there is a significant shortage of affordable housing in the Eindhoven region. Therefore, the second ambition is to meet this need. This aligns with a tradition of Eindhoven companies (particularly Philips) to create good housing and living environments for employees. The construction of homes also serves as a financial support for the mentioned ambitions. The building will become a living lab where new technologies from the region will be tested.
From Welschap Golf Course to Park Welschap
Welschap Golf Course will be opened to the public, and the entire area will be developed into Park Welschap. The park will focus on nature, recreation, and sustainable living.
Nature with high ecological value, such as fens, heathland, avenues with native trees, and valuable rabat structures, will be preserved and expanded. The current border zone of the golf course will be transformed into nature with open areas featuring herb-rich grasslands, dry heathland, and native shrubland. Fens will be enlarged and will have wide riparian vegetation. The source of the Grote Beek will be connected to the current course of the Kromme Sloot.
Nature with high ecological value, such as fens, heathland, avenues with native trees, and valuable rabat structures, will be preserved and expanded. The current border zone of the golf course will be transformed into nature with open areas featuring herb-rich grasslands, dry heathland, and native shrubland. Fens will be enlarged and will have wide riparian vegetation. The source of the Grote Beek will be connected to the current course of the Kromme Sloot.
Zoning
Through the park, from southeast to northwest, runs a gradient from more active areas to quiet zones where nature can flourish to its fullest. Most activities take place on the southeast side. Here, you will find the marina, the community garden complex, and the trailer park. This is also the access point to the area for cars and cyclists. The current road will be transformed into a wide bike path where cars are guests. Along the Welschapsedijk, near the community garden complex and the marina, there will be parking hubs for recreational users and park visitors. This road will also provide access to the parking garage under the residential building
Accessibility
The area is easily accessible for pedestrians and cyclists from all directions, partly due to a new slow traffic route next to the viaduct over the A2. The park features multiple walking and cycling paths and provides space for recreation. Moving towards the northwest, the area becomes progressively quieter. The density of paths decreases, and nature is minimally disturbed here. The northernmost part of the former golf course is a quiet zone where flora and fauna can thrive to their fullest.
Through the park, from southeast to northwest, runs a gradient from more active areas to quiet zones where nature can flourish to its fullest. Most activities take place on the southeast side. Here, you will find the marina, the community garden complex, and the trailer park. This is also the access point to the area for cars and cyclists. The current road will be transformed into a wide bike path where cars are guests. Along the Welschapsedijk, near the community garden complex and the marina, there will be parking hubs for recreational users and park visitors. This road will also provide access to the parking garage under the residential building
Accessibility
The area is easily accessible for pedestrians and cyclists from all directions, partly due to a new slow traffic route next to the viaduct over the A2. The park features multiple walking and cycling paths and provides space for recreation. Moving towards the northwest, the area becomes progressively quieter. The density of paths decreases, and nature is minimally disturbed here. The northernmost part of the former golf course is a quiet zone where flora and fauna can thrive to their fullest.
Welschap Village
At the center of the park will be the new circular residential building: Welschap Village. The building creates a clear boundary between the tranquil, natural park on the outside and a lively public area on the inside. Part of the building will be dedicated to publicly accessible amenities such as a gym and a cafe. The roof will feature a 1 km long running track and walkable PV cells.
The Welschapsedijk cuts through the building, making the interior accessible. Forrest gardens, fruit trees, and natural playgrounds make the interior of the circle a vibrant garden where residents and visitors can gather. The entrances to the residences are located on the inside of the circle, allowing the nature outside the circle to flourish to its fullest. The building will be a showcase of construction with natural materials, such as cross-laminated timber.
The building blends into the landscape and, due to its limited height, will be barely visible from a distance. However, it will be highly visible from the air, welcoming travelers landing at Eindhoven Airport.
The Welschapsedijk cuts through the building, making the interior accessible. Forrest gardens, fruit trees, and natural playgrounds make the interior of the circle a vibrant garden where residents and visitors can gather. The entrances to the residences are located on the inside of the circle, allowing the nature outside the circle to flourish to its fullest. The building will be a showcase of construction with natural materials, such as cross-laminated timber.
The building blends into the landscape and, due to its limited height, will be barely visible from a distance. However, it will be highly visible from the air, welcoming travelers landing at Eindhoven Airport.
Community
Everything is designed to create as much interaction as possible within the interior of the building. Therefore, the entrances to the residences are situated facing the collective park. External staircases lead directly from the park to the homes on the first and second floors, connecting the residences both to the collective park and to each other.
The building consists of three ring-shaped floors made of CLT (cross-laminated timber) stacked on top of each other, with glass facades in between. All residences have beautiful views of the landscape on both sides. The floors are staggered relative to each other, creating terraces oriented towards the sun and giving the building a unique sculptural appearance.
The building consists of three ring-shaped floors made of CLT (cross-laminated timber) stacked on top of each other, with glass facades in between. All residences have beautiful views of the landscape on both sides. The floors are staggered relative to each other, creating terraces oriented towards the sun and giving the building a unique sculptural appearance.
