New neighbourhood around the former Haarlem Slaughterhouse
The Slachthuisdistrict is a new neighbourhood in Haarlem with the monumental slaughterhouse as its centrepiece. A neighbourhood where living and working is combined alongside a pop school and catering, amidst a climate-adaptive public space.
A layered plan
In close collaboration between VOA (Van Ommeren Associates), ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles] and Hans van Heeswijk architects, a layered plan has been created with a matryoshka-like structure. The transformed slaughterhouse is centrally located on the new city square. A 400-meter long pergola borders the square and marks the transition to the front gardens of the houses. Collective rooftop gardens are located in the residential buildings. Much attention has been paid to the design of the transitions between the different levels of the plan.
Diverse housing typologies
The Slachthuisdistrict is a neighbourhood for everyone, which is why a large diversity of homes has been created. Within the municipal framework for 120 single-typology row houses, 162 homes have been created with a wide variety in size and typology. This forms the basis for an inclusive neighbourhood. Collective elements such as the transparent building entrance stairwells, playful rooftop gardens and distinctive pergola have been employed as a cohesive force for the new neighbourhood. In the masonry architecture on the outside of the residential buildings, the robustness of the monumental slaughterhouse resonates. Around the collective rooftop garden on the inside of the buildings, there is an informal world where residents meet each other. Inspired by the surrounding working-class neighbourhood, great attention has been given to the design around the housing entrances.
Car free neighbourhood
The starting point in the design was to minimize the dominance of cars in the public space as much as possible. Street parking is located at the edges of the plan. Parking garages are situated under the collective gardens in the buildings. The square is designed as a shared space, where only the logistics of the pop school and the northern units are welcome. The zigzag pattern of the square’s pavement make it a connecting carpet, intended for hosting meetings, playing sports and games and hosting events.
Sustainable living
Climate adaptability and ecology play a significant role in the plan. An integrated plan of water and vegetation structures contributes to climate adaption and creates a new habitat for a diverse variety of birds, insects and mammals. Nest boxes are integrated into the masonry facades, taking their design cues from the type of façade vegetation that is provided. Despite the fact that the greenery has not yet been fully planted, the large recesses in the square around the slaughterhouse show where water retention has been organized. Vegetative facades and edges of the plan are also used for water buffering.
The integrated water system ensures that rainwater is retained, can be utilized, can infiltrate and when necessary, is discharged. This way, each home has its own water tap for rainwater, which enhances the awareness of water in the neighbourhood. Additionally, the application of solar panels, heat and cold storage, and the facilitation of shared cars and cargo bikes make for a sustainable and future-proof addition to the city.
