Reviving Memory: through displacement, slowness and repetition

Abstract

This project focuses on the architect’s attitude performing in non-urban landscapes. As a case study the landscape of the Reitdiep river in Groningen (NL) has been intensely researched. Here, a strong interaction between myself and the physical landscape has been informing the design process. Through defining characteristics of the landscapes by iterative visits with observations, interviews and archival research sensory information and more factual based information of the landscape formed the understanding of this landscape. Altogether, the definition of a set of characteristics creates a thorough and balanced understanding of a place stored in memory. This memory can be expressed in personal, communal and historical lenses. The characteristics are always present in physical and mental constructs. The design project intends to allow these to enter, to live and to harass the structure. In the contemporary Ommelanderhuis sensory presence can be found between abstract and detailed scale levels. For exam¬ple, in entering the building one will be confronted by the subtle relief of the landscape, confronted by seasonal change of drought and intense showers. This example of sensory presence is something in which rituals are leading factors. The Ommelanderhuis is a political place where citizens, politicians, policy makers, environmental experts, farmers and creatives come together to speculate about the future landscape.