Den Bosch, Netherlands
Andrés Monzú
A plaza with diverse uses (commerce, housing, and parking) that borders the beautiful historic center of Den Bosch. A dialogue between the circular geometry of the tall buildings, the square shape of the central glazed baldachin, and the perimeter structures, which also engage in a dialogue with their surroundings. The ring of buildings has radial symmetry in plan, but the sunlight in the plaza –advisable in that climate– creates an asymmetry in elevation: lower height in the South sector and more floors in the North.
Access to the plaza is through the "bite" created by the outer ring. This ring resolves the connection between pedestrian streets. The plaza has two levels: the upper level is sunny, open, and surrounded by small shops, while the lower level is like a greenhouse lined with large commercial spaces.
A project whose construction management we were unable to take responsibility for and which is now distorted.
Finalist for the Architectuurprijs Stad 's-Hertogenbosch 2000