Hollebeek Park is integral to the ongoing transformation of this former industrial area into a new, resilient, and inclusive mixed-use neighborhood. The simple and coherent layout of this floodable park deftly weaves together waterways, greenery, and varied activities across 9.3 hectares of landscaped building courtyards. With the Hollebeek River flowing through the site, our design centers water management to create a new outdoor space that expands and bolsters the networks of landscapes and waterways in the city of Antwerp. The resulting park features two connected environments: a floodable naturalistic garden, and a geometric area arranged in a series of “Quaysides” along the buildings. The naturalistic garden is home to a delta plain landscape, scaled to size and filled with a mosaic of natural environments – from reed beds and wet meadows, to dry meadows, landscaped grassy meadows, and groves. The Quaysides sit above the flood line. These areas form the backdrop for the park’s more intensive uses, while the lower naturalistic garden provides a multi-use space for more free-form recreation. Surfaced in high-quality brick or stone, the hardscape Quaysides offer visitors a clear understanding of their surroundings. These contrasting yet complementary landscapes are connected by a robust network of raised walkways of varying widths.
Leidsman / Zuipolder Antwerpen NV et Krugerbrug NV
MDP Michel Desvigne Paysagiste / Arcadis Belgium
9,3ha