Landscape park De Bulkenaar

The arrival of the new Bravis hospital on the edge of Roosendaal heralds the realisation of a landscape park by Karres en Brands. This landscape park is firmly embedded in the local logic of the landscape. Analysis of various landscape layers shows that the area’s former richness has gradually become fragmented and has disappeared.

The landscape framework will restore this original richness to its former glory, providing a basis for the park’s character. An old brook and waterlogged forest will be restored in the western part of the park. Small-scale landscape compartments will also be revived, formed by wooded banks and hedgerows. In the eastern part of the park, a diverse tree grid will be planted, with exercise and play areas in between, which will invite people to use the park for recreational activities. This will create a transition in the park, from leisure in the east to natural scenery in the west.

The design also focuses on creating the right conditions to ensure that the various types of landscape can develop naturally. Maintenance will help achieve the desired look, restoring the rich scenery of the past to the area. The framework’s landscape lines will be detailed with regard to size and scale, and tested in 3D to envisage the experience at eye level.

As well as landscape lines and paths, a family of robust elements is also being developed. These elements, including a bridge, seats, brook platform, birdwatching screen or watchtowers in the treetops, are all designed to stimulate the experience of nature.

Everything will be harmonised to the wishes and requirements of current residents and future users. There is also a lot of space in the park for initiatives suggested by local residents, such as creating a food forest. By carefully positioning the hospital within the scenery, we will create an integrated care park, which will combine the efficiency of the hospital and the locals’ experience of nature. In this way, both the hospital and the scenery will help provide a healthy, natural environment for local residents, patients and employees.