The irregular brick bond and the dark plinth – a piece of the city with history and character!
In 2020, these remarkable building blocks achieved an impressive third place in the Groningen Architecture Prize – and Rodruza proudly contributed to this achievement! The Oosterparkkwartier is a unique new residential area in Groningen, consisting of double-enclosed housing blocks with a total of 119 homes, located along the Van Starkenborgh Canal.
The design is inspired by 1930s architecture from Berlage’s original expansion plan. Characteristic features include the irregular brick bond and the dark plinth – a piece of city with history and character!
Urbanistically, the Oosterparkkwartier is also special: the neighborhood has been developed with a clear main structure, urban building blocks, and abundant public green spaces. Like the rest of the district, these building blocks are designed as one cohesive whole. With tall, prominent corners, generous green zones, and a distinctive transition to the inner street, the design makes a strong statement.
Architect
Oosterparkkwartier was designed by the architects of KAW - designers, researchers, and advisors with an eye for people, nature, and society. They are committed to equality of opportunity in a society that is both ecologically responsible and socially just. From an ecocentric perspective, they promote the well-being and health of residents. At KAW, they work on integrated future plans for areas that provide access to healthy living, working, and community life, for current residents and future generations.
“We are committed to a new perspective on our living environments.” – KAW
The role of brick
Through its classical brick architecture, the plan reconnects with the past. Combined with various concrete ornaments, the façade radiates in its classic red brick appearance. The façade design includes multiple brickwork patterns that recur throughout the project, bringing unity to as many as twelve different housing types.
The façade is mainly constructed in a classic style, creating a beautiful contrast with the surrounding greenery and environment. By introducing color variation in the plinth, the building subtly connects to the ground level while also creating an inviting streetscape.
The façades are built using the pointmaster system. With this jointing technique, raking out and finishing the joint are done in a single operation. This creates a recessed joint with a smooth, finished surface. The recessed joint produces a beautiful shadow effect, adding liveliness to the façade and allowing the bricks to stand out.
Finally, the variegated effect in the plinth creates a playful, irregular appearance that contrasts beautifully with the long straight street along which it is situated. It brings the structured housing block to life!
From vision to design
As early as 1928, city officials decided that the eastern edge of Groningen should have “a special aesthetic quality.” The renowned architect and urban planner Hendrik Petrus Berlage worked on a new expansion plan for this purpose. The plan consisted of a carefully designed pattern of wide roads, streets, stately parks, and squares. Within this design, the ‘building block’ was the most important element. Together with the streets, these blocks provided structure to the city. Berlage’s expansion plan aimed to give Groningen a perimeter of high aesthetic quality, helping to shed its image as merely a “provincial town.”
Now, nearly 100 years later, the new design reconnects with Berlage’s expansion plan by once again focusing on the building block concept—this time in a contemporary form.
The front side of the housing block has become a highlight of the design—the “calling card.” The curvature of the ornaments on the end façade draws the eye to the rest of the design. Meanwhile, the long straight lines guide you along the subtle transition between public and private space—another carefully designed highlight. Recessed entrances, hedges, garden walls, and elegant railings ensure a smooth and refined transition.
