Transformation and vision development begin with a deep understanding of a place's identity. We delve into its origins the layers of time and the pivotal moments it has witnessed as well as its conceptual framework spatial organization buildings and societal significance. We document these essential aspects in a comprehensive cultural heritage study. These findings are captured in a cultural-historical analysis. In this we delineate the evolution of a garden estate park or cultivated landscape identifying surprising and inspiring connections. The garden or area gains character and vitality. Thanks to a narrative more becomes conceivable than can be seen at first glance. Our insights serve as the foundation for monument listings garden renovations management policies and redevelopment plans. We are often closely involved in translating cultural heritage valuation into concrete area transformations.

CASE 1

THE GARDEN OF THE HOUSE ON THE BUNKER, THE HAGUE

Garden Heritage Assessment 

commissioned by the owner Steven van der Goes

The indestructible fact of the solid concrete bunker formed the starting point for this remarkable half-hidden garden on the Ruychrocklaan in The Hague. Architect Romke de Vries designed an exceptional house with terraced gardens for the family Van Kampen-De Breij: a light structure on top of an Atlantikwall bunker and a lush garden spread out over multiple levels. Everything is in motion: the seamless transition between house and garden the four stairs the terraces the way the garden 'climbs' up against Kunrader stone walls the richness of the planting the composition of open and close high and low dark and light. The garden and the house have been lovingly restored by the current owner Steven van der Goes who asked SteenhuisMeurs to map out the heritage values of the garden. Just as remarkable as the horticultural richness is the way in which the experience of the garden as an apparently endless green world is extended into the nearby Clingendael parklands.

House on the Bunker

CASE 2

STADSPARK GRONINGEN

History of ideas, and heritage assessment of the park and buildings

commissioned by the municipality of Groningen

The Stadspark (City Park) of Groningen was presented in its early years as the "principal pleasure resort for the people of Groningen, the crown jewel of the city." The park emerged from the successful collaboration between the director of Public Works J.A. Mulock Houwer (1857-1933) and industrialist J.E. Scholten (1849-1918). They were contemporaries with grand ideas for the city and its inhabitants. The Stadspark was designed by the Haarlem-based landscape architect Leonard Springer and later expanded into a vast recreational area of 140 hectares, extending through green corridors into the city and the surrounding countryside. The Stadspark requires attention and care, while also offering many opportunities for the future. In 2023, SteenhuisMeurs conducted a cultural-historical analysis of the Stadspark with three components: the history of its founding ideas, a garden heritage assessment, and a historical analysis of the buildings at the racecourse. The research contains lessons, examples and references to other cities. The Stadspark tells the stories of the city and connects the people of Groningen: from the rise of industry to public housing, from sports and games to Jewish history, from urban planning to landscape, and from city to countryside.

Groningen

CASE 3

WIELEWAAL, EINDHOVEN

Garden heritage assessment

commissioned by municipality of Eindhoven

For almost a century, the Wielewaal country estate was in the possession of the Philips family. Anton and Frits Philips transformed timber production grounds into a unique twentieth-century estate, adjacent to their factories in Strijp. From Anton's time remain the pinetum (a pine garden), the arboretum, a star-shaped wood grove, other gardens and the 'Hut of Uncle Ton' that overlooks a pond. Frits Philips built the Wielewaal mansion and moved there in 1934. From a woodland park with gardens and a log cabin, the Wielewaal evolved into an estate organised around the imposing main house. The cedar park, the arboretum and other groves were converted into an open space around the house, that merges into the surrounding landscape. From the Wielewaal house, there are sightlines hundreds of meters long that never cross the boundaries of the estate. In 2007, the Philips heirs sold the majority of the Wielewaal to an entrepreneur. He renovated the mansion and transferred ownership to the municipality of Eindhoven in 2022. The intention is to transform the estate into a public park for recreation and nature, celebrating the Philips legacy. The cultural heritage assessment of SteenhuisMeurs serves as a starting point. Our recommendation to list parts of the estate as protected buildings and sites has since been followed.

Eindhoven