Brightness

The colour of this honeysuckle is stunning especially set against a blue sky. It's a shame that the red and orange honeysuckles don't have the intoxicating scent of the more dimly coloured varieties.

Models homes: Eco-estate EVA-Lanxmeer

The buildings on the EVA-Lanxmeer eco-estate have been specifically designed with sustainability in mind. This sometimes results in building that are generally recognizable as eco-houses. Much more interesting are the examples of architecture that show how sustainability doesn't have to result in buildings that differ greatly in appearance from "traditional" houses. The emphasis on natural processes and improving the habitat for as many wild species as possible has resulted in very small scale urban landscape with many different elements. The whole however does not look very natural, but extremely managed and more often than not very gardenlike. This goes to show that wild animals don't care much about what the greenery looks like, but rather that it is suitable for them to thrive. 

There is something of an eco-vocabulary among architects of sustainable buildings. The architects employed in EVA-Lanxmeer are all members of a group committed to sustainable architecture. The architectural expression is  similar in all these buildings. Here examples of long sloping roofs with either solar panels (on the left) or a sloping glass facade that reduces the need for additional heating (but leads to the growth of mould and algae if not properly ventilated and regularly cleaned as was evident in some houses).

One of the much publicized "greenhouses" within EVA-Lanxmeer. The houses are designed like a classic greenhouse as a play on the traditional eco-housing vocabulary with sloping glass facades on the south side of the building.

On the left another example of fairly typical eco-architecture very often seen in Germany and Scandinavia; a building clad in wood with balconies and trellis awning. Luckily there are also examples of other styles of architecture. On the right a sustainable building designed in reference to modernist (cubist) architecture. Such examples are important to show sustainable living can take any architectural form.

Another example of eco-architecture this time in a brick and wood cladding combination. These short rows of terraced houses are grouped around a communal garden in so-called woonhoven (literally: living courts).

I had expected more architecture based on the Anthroposophical ideas of Rudolf Steiner. This self-built freestanding family house come daycare centre (right) stands near one of the large ponds. I'm no fan of the gloomy colour of the reclaimed bricks, but overall the building is pleasing especially considering is has been completely constructed by reusing building materials. On the left an example of a thatched villa with a strong Anthroposophical influence. Approached as a variation on the commonly seen thatched farmstead it has been well executed.

A view across one of the infiltration ponds towards the water tower. The apple orchard has been maintained within the urban fabric of this eco-neighbourhood. It stands over the drinking water well.

Tucked away around the edges of the housing estate helophyte filters have been constructed that clear the household waste water before it is transported towards the large ponds. Much of the technique is invisible. The helophyte filters present themselves as attractive meadows rich in flowers. The eco-estate not only consists of family housing but apartment blocks are also part of the building program. On the right an example that marries clean lines with the details of  eco-architecture.

Models homes: EVA-Lanxmeer, a sustainable strategy

Directly south of the medieval town of Culemborg (from Kuilenburcht literally: pit castle), between the small Meer river and the railway, meadows were to be found until the end of the twentieth century. This location opposite the railway station had never been developed as  is was the site of a deep drinking water well. This meant that urban development was not permitted. But in 1994 Marleen Kaptein a resident of Culemborg had the vision of an ecological housing estate based on the EVA Concept. She found the town planners on her side. Also the water company took a positive stance towards development as long as water safety could be guaranteed.

In 1995 the municipality of Culemborg, with its green character and forward thinking town councilors decided the idea for an ecological housing estate in the Lanxmeer polder fitted well within their sustainability strategy. The provincial government of Guelderland was willing to allot extra housing quota to Culemborg on the condition that a minimum of 100 houses would be built between 1998 and 2002. In a coproduction between the EVA foundation, local government and the residents association Lanxmeer an area of 24 hectares (60 acres) is being developed with circa 400 dwellings, schools, offices and an urban farm.

Residents are mandatory members of the residents society (Bewonersvereniging EVA-Lanxmeer or BEL). It is not possible to live in this eco-estate without subscribing to the residential charter (Bewonersovereenkomst) that stipulates the number of motor vehicles a family is allowed to own (one but preferably none), the rules regarding the shared gardens, the rules on waste management, the expected participation in the upkeep of the living environment, etcetera.  The Terra Bella foundation, linked to BEL is responsible for maintenance of the whole terrain except the buildings and private gardens. The private gardens are small however, most of the outside space is in shared ownership (mandelig land) and thus responsibility for the upkeep is also shared. The paths, roads, waterways and ponds belong to the municipality of Culemborg. The municipality has outsourced the maintenance to Terra Bella for a fixed fee that is negotiated at the end of each year. Most of the maintenance work is done by volunteers (i.e. residents). Some of the work is contracted out to a landscape gardener. At the heart of the estate the drinking water well is located beneath an orchard. Terra Bella is also responsible for maintenance of this area. At summers end a harvest festival is organized in the orchard.

The urban plan for EVA-Lanxmeer is an example of "fragmented city" urban design with urban fragments imbedded in a green counter mould. This makes for an urban environment that is not easily navigated. Because so much of the area is reserved for green space the building density is high.

The paths and roads in part follow the old parcelling. The ditches are distributed in a similar way. The series of ponds follow an old river bend that silted up a thousand years ago. 

The drinking water well is put to  good use as a source of heating for the houses through a heat exchanger. Additionally warm water is provided by solar boilers on the roofs. Electricity is generated by solar panels. The local heat and power network is exploited by Thermo Bello, a foundation company  linked to  BEL. This energy company is fully owned by the residents of EVA-Lanxmeer. It is a good example of the EVA Concept merging social cohesion, self-determination and self-sufficiency.

Another example of the sustainable strategies employed in EVA-Lanxmeer concerns water management. Lanxmeer is the name of a medieval polder besides the Meer (this is also the literal translation of Lanxmeer: along the Meer) and thus water management is an issue. Here especially so because of the drinking water well. All clean (rain) water is led to retention ponds via a system of ditches. To limit runoff most of the roofs are planted with vegetation. Water from the streets is led to dry ditches and hollows where it can infiltrate the soil. Domestic water from dish washers, showers and kitchens is collected in reed beds for purification and then led to the ponds. There are three such Helophyte filters tucked away in the margins of the residential areas. Sewage is planned to be treated on site. The solids are to be separated and burnt in a Bio-gas plant; the liquid component can be released in the reed beds.

The urban fragments are organized in strips within the old parcelling of the polder Lanxmeer. At the heart of the estate lies the drinking water protection area (in green) that is covered by an orchard. Flanking this strips of housing (shown in red) have been arranged. On the north side along the artery road amenities and facilities (in orange) have been placed. North of the artery road the urban farm (indicated in olive green) is located in a bend of the Meer river. On the outer edges all offices and business premises (shown in purple) have been concentrated. Opposite the train station the EVA-Centre has been planned (shown here in yellow).

Situated opposite the train station the prospective residents of the EVA-Lanxmeer estate opted for discouraging car use and car ownership. The whole estate is transversed by walking paths and cycle routes. All parking places are situated on the edges of the estate; there is no motorized through traffic allowed. In several spots vehicles belonging to a local car sharing organization (Buurtauto by Wheels4All) are available for use. 

The final, but no less important, part of the sustainable strategy is the urban farm Catshaege. It is located on the edge of the estate bordering the Meer river. It was named after a farm (Katshaag) that once stood here. This organic farm provides food for the residents, but also grows plants for the outdoor spaces within the estate. The farm is run commercially and also has an educational function. Both crops and animals are to be interacted with by children and residents alike. The urban farm also plays a role in providing a fulfilling daily routine for people with disabilities and mental issues.

The plan of EVA-Lanxmeer encompasses both amenities, residential and commercial buildings. The commercial buildings and offices (C-O) are all located along the edges. They are mixed with facilities such as a public swimming pool (PP), Kindergarten (K), primary school (PS), secondary school (SS), religious centre (R), social work and welfare office (W)  and the EVA Centre (EVA) opposite the train station (T). The residential areas are a mix of 20% affordable owner occupied, 50 % high end owner occupied and 30% rental with both apartments (a) and family homes. The family homes are grouped around communal gardens (g) or in strips of terraced housing along shared outdoor space. There is also room for detached (d) and semidetached (s) houses. Central to the eco-estate is the orchard (O) that connects up to the urban farm (F), the string of ponds (P), helophyte filters (H), an archeological site (A), a nature reserve (N) and the drinking water plant with water tower (WT).

Although I personally would never be attracted to such a communal way of living I found it impressive to see how an idea(l) like this can work in practice.

Models homes: the EVA Concept

EVA is an acronym of Ecologisch centrum voor Educatie, Voorlichting en Advies (Ecological centre for Education, Guidance and Advice). E.V.A. was founded in 1994 by Marleen Kaptein with the aim to provide a meaningful contribution to the development of a sustainable society and environmental awareness. The E.V.A. foundation wanted to realize an ecological  mixed neighbourhood through interdisciplinary cooperation and make the experience and knowledge gained in the process available to others. Their efforts were particularly aimed at consumers, developers and local government.

The seeds for this undertaking were sown in the late 1980s with the Vierde Nota Ruimtelijke Ordening (1988 - Forth Bill on Spatial Planning) and the Nationaal Milieubeleidsplan (1989 - National Environmental Policy Paper), that integrated the environmental concerns of Dutch citizens in national policy. At that time Marleen Kaptein worked with the study group OBOM (Open Bouw en Ontwikkeling Model or Open Building and Development Model) at Delft University. Within this model (prospective) residents were given opportunities to have their say in the development of the floor plan in social housing. Afterwards Mrs. Kaptein became chair of VIBA (Vereniging voor Integrale Bio-logische Architectuur or Society for Integral Bio-logical Architecture) and Stichting Mens & Architectuur (People and Architecture Foundation) and thus came into contact with the principles of ecological and organic architecture and landscape architecture. The Permaculture Design Course she attended in 1992 completed the vision that had slowly been growing in her mind: integrating complementary design principles with the aim of building an ecological housing estate that could serve as a model for  the broader public. 1993 saw the first project proposal being formulated.

Several experts were willing to participate in the initiative. This culminated in the EVA Concept, a content based schedule of requirements for designing and developing urban areas. The EVA Concept was not only aimed at new housing developments but also at gentrification, urban renewal and both existing and new business districts. 1995 saw the publication of the EVA Brochure which elaborated on the EVA Concept.

The main starting-point within the EVA Concept are:

·         development of the sense of place by inventory of the Genius Loci. The idea is to maintain or enhance the specific character of place;

·         closing the material and energy cycle and making the natural cycles visible;

·         reintroduction of local and biological food production to the everyday experiences of young and old alike;

·         maximized connectivity between landscape and architecture;

·         embedding sustainable water management and energy production into the urban plan.

Three pillars support the EVA Concept. These are: ¹⁾ a minimum of 200 dwellings (houses and apartments are possible) to be built along with offices and other small scale business premises, ²⁾ a biological urban farm for food production, education and social durability and ³⁾ an EVA Centre for integral ecology (concerned with organizing sustainable maintenance and social reform). The focus on integrating nature within the urban environment, food production, providing both space to live as well as work and both self-determination and self- governance is very reminiscent of the original ideas of Ebenezer Howard on Garden Cities and the way his ideas were put into practice in Germany and Austria. The motive for the EVA Concept however isn't so much social betterment of the working classes as a sustainable future for all people.

A view across the Oude Lek, a number of ponds used for retaining and infiltrating water on site, that forms the backbone of the EVA-Lanxmeer estate.