Eden Soestdijk: Experimental garden in the Netherlands

The architecture studio Mecanoo has unveiled the Eden Soestdijk project - an experimental garden for a sustainable society and a paradise destination for all in the Netherlands.

Project's description: Plans have been unveiled to transform the Soestdijk Palace estate into Eden Soestdijk.The plan was created by Mecanoo architecten, the Eden Soestdijk foundation, Eden Project (UK), Kossmann.dejong and Royal HaskoningDHV in response to the redevelopment competition for the Palace organised by the Dutch government. The plan is one of three to be asked for a bid to redevelop the palace.

The redevelopment of the Soestijk estate has a social purpose in creating a more sustainable society. An educative journey will touch all the visitors’ senses, triggering them to become more aware and conscious of the earth’s fragility. Eden Soestdijk has international appeal and will be an economic, educative and cultural asset to the Netherlands.

Francine Houben, creative director of Mecanoo architecten, one of the partners of Eden Soestdijk: “The Palace Soestdijk Estate is one of the most fairytale like surroundings of the Netherlands: the ideal canvas for Eden Soestdijk. The royal family has always cherished the relationship with the surrounding landscape. The plan for Eden Soestdijk responds to this in a beautiful manner.”

An architectural greenhouse winding through the forest behind the palace gardens will be the main icon of Eden Soestdijk. Within this striking greenhouse visitors will be taken on an interactive expedition through spectacular landscapes highlighting topics of circularity, ecological balance and the social aspects of sustainability.

Part of the palace will be designed as interactive exhibition spaces that showcase the beauty of nature from a cultural, historical and scientific perspective. The exciting, educative and fairytale-like gardens and landscapes surrounding the palace are an integral part of Eden Soestdijk, strengthening the experience of nature and central theme of sustainability.

More than half a million yearly visitors are expected to come to Eden Soestdijk from 2020 onward. Because Eden Soestdijk is being developed and exploited in a non-profit manner, all continued proceeds will be reinvested in the further development of the estate.

Read more at: www.edensoestdijk.com

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