Windesheim is an old country estate that lies to the south of Zwolle. It listing as a monument extends to the layout of its garden and parkland. H+N+S was commissioned by Stichting Landgoed Windesheim to draw up a plan for the renovation of the 18th-century heart of the estate; the brief was to achieve the best possible balance between its historical quality and future use. The objective was not just to sustain the run-down estate, but also to make the area more interesting to the public....
Windesheim is an old country estate that lies to the south of Zwolle. It listing as a monument extends to the layout of its garden and parkland. H+N+S was commissioned by Stichting Landgoed Windesheim to draw up a plan for the renovation of the 18th-century heart of the estate; the brief was to achieve the best possible balance between its historical quality and future use. The objective was not just to sustain the run-down estate, but also to make the area more interesting to the public.
The plan is intended to make the park more accessible and more attractive. Not only is access currently limited, the ground is passable only with difficulty. Parking facilities are needed. Crucially, the historical planting requires attention. Maintenance is overdue: if nothing is done, the original trees will deteriorate, and gaps will eventually appear.
After basing extensive research on the original plan and later developments, H+N+S identified a number of historical periods, each with its own characteristics. The design principles of each period were listed, and the remaining traces of them classified. This work made it possible to compile a design vocabulary that was not only historically accurate and up-to-date, but that could also underlie the renovation plan. In a literal sense, no construction work will take place, but interventions will be strongly rooted in the heritage of this landscape.