LOLA landscape architects from Rotterdam and Studio KARST from Zurich recently won the international ideas competition for their plans for the future Singel Park in Leiden. The two agencies present “convincing and thoughtful concepts for both the park as a whole, as well as for the role the park can play in Leiden’s future.” That’s the conclusion of the advisory committee headed by Mayor Henri Lenferink. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Garden of Leiden
LOLA and Studio KARST are both still young agencies. Studio KARST inspired the jury with the concept of ‘Garden of Leiden’, the idea to transform the complete inner city into a botanical city, with the Singel Park as a ring around it. The plan provides for a promenade on the outside of the canals, bordered by a double row of trees, and over twenty intimate enclosed gardens on the inside of the ring, each with a different planting and atmosphere.
Maximum diversity
LOLA made a contemporary and imaginative design in which footpaths directly run along the water of the six-kilometer Singel canal, lined with a maximum of functions and spheres, with open spaces for free interpretation. Both designers see the Hortus Botanicus an important partner when it comes to the planting of the parks. And both see an important role for residents and organizations in Leiden to cooperate in the realization of the park.
