TUDELFT

MASTER SERIES ATELIER NOTES ON HERITAGE, CITY AND LANDSCAPE 2017 LAND-

MUSSERTS’ WALL

DESIGNING WITH THE NARRATIVE OF A LOADED PAST WORKSHOP MUUR VAN Special thanks to SERIES ATELIER NOTES ON MUSSERTS WALL NEAR LUNTEREN MUSSERT Jan Kijlstra HERITAGE, CITY AND LAND- FOR HERITAGE LANDSCAPES Historische Vereniging Ede SCAPE Design approaches for militairy or war herit- jects from our past (‘black pages in history’). analysis and the physical possibilities with dif- Ali Hendriksen age with a loaded past It somehow connects to a broader discus- ferent solutions or approaches were evaluat- Beleef Lunteren Based on the method of research- by- de- sign possibilities are explored in regional sions. Should we remove all negative aspects ed. During the three- day- workshop, students Published by Roderick P. Zoons and local issues connected to heritage In the 1930s, a contested wall was built on of our past, which will somehow create loss were accompanied by local and general herit- Chair of Landscape Architecture, owner of the site and identity of city and landscapes for the Goudseberg near Lunteren. Standing on knowledge. Should focus be set on com- age experts and produced four different plans. Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Recreatiecentrum, Bungalowpark, courses Heritage Landscapes. on a small balcony, leader Anton Mussert of memorating the rights of victims? Can we Before the outcome will be discussed, a short Architecture, TU Delft Restaurant the National Socialistic Movement (NSB), keep parts of the opposition (perpetrators) history on Musserts wall is described, based de Goudsberg previous studies allied to the Nazi’s, addressed his ideas in and put in a reflective way. This discussion is on the study of van Heijningen. Karel Loeff speeches for large groups of followers from very much needed, because a lot of our built Published for Bond Heemschut 2012 DRU factory, Ulft past is somehow connected to actions or our A National Home 2013 Renkumse buitenplaatsen in een this wall. Currently, after years of neglect, MSc Track Landscape Architecture this Wall of Mussert is in decay. Because of ancestors, which we with our twenty first In December 1931, the NSB was a political and Urbanism, Q4 – Heritage @ alle rechten zijn voorbehouden aan nieuw perspectief century moral glasses on, would define as movement based on national socialistic ideas 2014 Renkumse buitenplaatsen in een its loaded history, opinions on monumental Landscapes de auteurs. Gebruik van de tekeningen status or on future plans are hard to make. wrong nowadays. This is dividing our society. founded in Utrecht in which Anton Mussert nieuw perspectief 2 Anno 2017, a few direct victims of the NSB- played an important role. This movement col- alleen na nadrukkelijke toestemming 2014 Toekomstvisie voor de Wouwse In 2004 and 2015 official request were send van de auteurs en TU Delft, leerstoel collaboration are alive and amongst younger laborated with the Nazi’s during their occu- Within the framework of Plantage in to be registered as a national listed mon- Landschapsarchitectuur. 2015 New Dutch Waterline ument. But other questions are connected generation, preservation for telling the story pation of the Netherlands. Their headquarters Science shop project Muur van of the place and learning from the past be- were situated in the centre of Utrecht (Ma- Mussert, University of Wageningen 2015 Regional studies of country estates in regards it future use? To make a deliber- landscapes ate new step, the Science Shop (WUR) was comes stronger as can be seen in a docu- liebaan 35), but because of its limited capac- 2016 Workshop Van Leeuwenhoekpark, asked to start a project and students of the mentary for local television (2015). ity to accomodate large groups, a new meeting Client location was needed. The NSB chose to create Dr. Roel During Delft elective Heritage Landscapes in the master 2017 Musserts Wall, Lunteren track Landscape architecture (DUT) were Designing a new future a ‘National Home’ (Nationaal Tehuis) with rec- researcher Biodiversity and Policy The second discussion is what can be done reational houses, sporting facilities and a large Wageningen Environmental Research invited to produce some future perspectives. This resulted in four design approaches, us- with the physical remains of Musserts wall. arena for group meetings.The new location was Dr. Rosali van Dam The main question is revitalisation is how to a small depression in the hilly landscape of the researcher Biodiversity and Policy ing the narrative/ reflective, biographical or Wageningen Environmental Research landscape thematic approaches, presented design with local and national sentiment as Goudsberg near Lunteren. Its position exactly here. well as the narrative attached to this site for in the geographical centre of the Netherlands a sustainable future? made it easily accessible. Design proposals National listed monument or not? The last twenty years, the discourse of herit- Ir. Gerdy Verschuure-Stuip and Local discussion concerning Musserts Wall age has evolved which led to new approach- At the centre of the complex was the arena, students are centred around two questions. Should es of transformation and to the importance which made use of the height differences of [assistant professor Landscape this wall be appointed as national listed of narrative and authenticity of materials. the landscape. A large open area formed the architecture and heritage, TU Delft] monument and, can new plans are made on But which approach can be chosen in this seating area, set against a grass covered podi- Ayu Prestasia [student Indonesia] this loaded site? case? Therefore local and national heritage um covered and the wall itself. Speeches were Xiaozhu Zhang [student China] The discussions on the status of Mus- organisations contacted the Science Shop given from a small balcony with the audience Chang Liu [student China] serts wall was enhanced with two official of Wageningen University to enforce the dis- seated in the open area having a picnic.The wall Alexandra Karampournioti [student requests to be listed as a state monument cussion on the future of Musserts wall. Stu- consists of brickwork, specifically made with Greece] (2004, 2015). In 2004, the first request was re- dents from the master track Landscape ar- larger measurements than normal brickwork. Mingyang Yang [student China] jected because of protests from both WW II chitecture of Delft University of Technology An iron railing was used to support flags of dif- Evangelia Georgali [student Greece] Dutch resistant striders from Lunteren as (Heritage Landscapes) were invited to come ferent departments (cities). On both sides two Abhinaya Gnana [student India] well as complaints from the CIDI (Centrum up with different design approaches for this lower walls were made with natural stones in Maria Sachsamanoglou [student Information and Documentation Israel). In complex project. The workshop was held to an irregular bonding. This brickwork referred to Greece] 2015, a second request was send to the Min- unravel the complexity of attached social, the glorious past of the Netherlands as part of Angeliki Anagnostou [student istry of Education, Culture and Science. mental and environmental issues in new de- NSB ideology. The wall itself was a double wall Greece] sign, so that fundamental approaches can and the space in between was used as a study Ida Rasmussen [student Denmark] In the meanwhile, public opinion is divided. The fear of granting some sort of dignity be distinguished. This method of scientific room for Mussert to finalise his speeches. A Nicole Alewijn [student The Nether- knowledge is called ‘research by design’ and flagpole and large clock completed the ensem- lands] to the mentality of the National Socialistic Movement and creating a meeting place for aims to create solutions in complex changes ble, and can be seen in movies and pictures. neo-Nazis is setting the tone. On the other of spatial transformation. During the process, Layout the sensitivity of the case was studied in an Nicole Alewijn hand, awareness is growing that we cannot Evangelia Georgali and (/or should not) remove all negative ob- 3 Several meetings last twenty years, the discourse of heritage has choice) used the (NSB) narrative of the site to Every NSB-member was expected to join led to new approaches of transformation and reflect on what happened. The story was nar- these annual meetings on Whit Monday focused on the importance of narratives and rated in a reflective way to stress that every (important Christian holiday in the Nether- authenticity of materials. But which approach choice in life has its consequences. Reflection lands). During this day, speeches were given is appropriate in this case? park used the strong graphic images of barbed by senior ranking NSB-leaders, to a singing wires in the atmosphere of a public park. Both and flag waving audience of the Resistant Four future plans victims as well as the perpetrators were con- department of the NSB. These meetings were The four projects and approaches are de- nected to the place and their harmful relation called ‘hagepreken of hagespraak’, (literally scribed briefly. made explicit. The garden of choice introduced ‘speeches in the bushes’) referring to the In reflection park, the original wall was respect- the experience from a personal point of view in start of the Reformation. Between 1936 and ed. It presented that every man and woman is a more garden-like design. 1940, six meetings were held. The first one responsible for their own choices and actions, was held on Monday, 1st June 1936, the sec- which may result in a reaction (Third Law of Two projects (food bonding and from one to ond a year later. On Saturday, 9th October Newton). The consequences of NSB’s choices all) tried to diminish the negative history of 1937 an extra meeting was organised, follow- and actions, like exposing Jews, homosexu- the place by creating a different focus on the ing a great loss during national parliament als, gypsies and others, who were deported to site. Food bonding, showed the layers of sto- election. This meeting was needed to settle concentration camps, were literally revealed in ries which were connected to this site as well internal affairs and reinstate confidence in a second translucent, concrete wall, showing in the biographical design approach, referring the party. The last two regular meetings were groups of people behind barbed wires. A mir- to research method landscape biography. The held on 6th June, 1938 and 29th May, 1939. The rored pond further reflected this choice. project from one to all focused on the historic REFLECTION meeting of May 13th 1940 was rescheduled to use of amphitheatre but added a new podium Saturday 22th June 1940, following the Ger- In the design garden of choice, the wall could to it, so that the functional use was retained man invasion in the Netherlands. This final be entered through a small narrow path. It re- but the focus on the site was shifted towards meeting was called the ‘Meeting of Libera- fers to the path we all have to walk in life and its new use. This last approach can be called PARK tion’ (Hagepreek der Bevrijding). The irony that our choices have specific outcomes with the landscape thematic design approach in was that during the Nazi occupation these real consequences. The design was more mod- which one functional theme was reused again. pro- Nazi meetings were forbidden due to the est and looked more like a garden in contrast to These designs led to three different design ap- lack of gasoline for busses needed to trans- the larger park idea of the reflection park. proaches with new functions, which balance port crowds. between monumental value, the narrative and The design food bonding, took a different ap- nature. AYU PRESTASIA, XIAOZHU Biography of the location proach where the National Home for the NSB While much attention is given to the seven was framed as one of the many activities that Gerdy Verschuure-Stuip, course coordinator ZHANG, CHANG LIU meetings held in the 1930s, there is more his- have taken place in Goudsberg. This approach based on students work.text (with footnotes): tory attached to the site. Traces of earlier oc- was worked out both on the site itself as well Atlantis, magazine for urbanism and land- cupation have been found, like Celtic fields, as the macro-scale and connected to develop- scape architecture, november 2017 a Teutonic road, a Medieval Germanic road, ments of the new park ‘The middle of the Neth- game walls and much more. From the Four- erlands’. A restaurant with a connecting veg- teenth century on, a small village was first etable garden was introduced featuring unique mentioned in relation to the reclamation of eating spaces, like specific caravans sites and the Veluwe. Since 1951, the site has been a romantic place on the wall itself. used by Dutch boy scouts. In the 70s, the wall became part of a camping site. At present, it The fourth design from one to all, did not fo- is used as temporal housing for East Europe- cus on the historic layers, but tried to give the an workers. site a new meaning by adding a new function. As a counterpart to Mussert’s wall, a new and Designing a new future multifunctional wall was made which enforced The second discussion is what can be done the idea of an open-air theatre giving a positive with the physical remains of Mussert’s wall. atmosphere to the camping site. How does one design with local and national sentiment as well as the narrative attached Reflecting on the design approaches to this site for a sustainable future? In the Two projects (reflection park and garden of

4 5 PROJECT DESCRIPTION REFLECTION of NSB and the speeches happened here in PARK the museum (Gallery of the Past). And finally, standing on the wall, we get an overview of the For us, heritage always brings meanings and whole park. lessons. The challenge to transform a heritage site with new function needs to take care and In this case, visitors start their tour from the new bring it together in such a way that it is conveyed wall and reflection pond, which is also our new as clear message of its meaning. In the case of focal point. At that time, they probably have no Wall of Mussert, we believe that bad memory idea of what are they looking at. After visiting and tragedy is not always to be forgotten. As the old wall and learning about all the historical the most significant evidence of the NSB, it knowledge in the museum, visitors have some rather can be used as a lesson and warning for idea about this place. Then they climb up to the future generation. the balcony of the old wall and get an overview there. With all the fresh knowledge, it is highly We call our project as Reflection Park, not a possible that they can relate their not-so-long- memorial park, because this park is designed ago experience to the story. By then, visitors not to appreciate or give admiration of the dark would be able to see the relation between the story of NSB, but rather for people to reflect to new focal point (The Remembrance Wall and the impact of their movement in the society. A the Reflecting Pond) and the old wall (The message about the relation between the action Gallery of The Past). In fact, the new focal point and the consequences. The NSB and the suffer demonstrates the result of the NSB actions of the victims they reported to the Nazi. The on the old focal point. They share this action- exclusivism which could cause segregation, result relation. the dictatorism which cause terror. In developing the site as a Reflection Park, In the new transformation, we intend to combine beside focusing on historical narratives with narrative of the place with landscape elements clear message about the warnings of not to create series of experiences for the visitors. repeating the wrong ideology, the masterplan Telling the story not only by displaying objects, design offer beneficial to the surrounding but rather create spatial qualities to embed the neighborhood as well. The boundary trees feeling, atmosphere and visual discourses to separated the main park with the buffer zone. create memory. The buffer zone is designed to be recreational zone for the neighborhood. The type of activity The project mainly consist of 2 part. The in this area are relaxing, calm, and give more Gallery of the past (The wall of Mussert) and the attention to the nature. Remembrance Wall. The Gallery of the Past is a museum displaying pictures and documents This green area provides resting place from the dark story of NSB. This part become connected to the other more playful recreational the ‘action’ part of the park. Place to learn facilities in the surrounding area. The path in the the history that we don’t want to repeat in the buffer area is connected to the neighborhood, future. The Remembrance Wall is the focal people can enter the area from the back of the point of the new intervention. Sitting on the old wall without bothering the main park. large reflecting pond, it is the representation of the ‘consequences’, and place we put respect All in all, humans can easily forget the unwritten and peace for the victims. history. So that our main intention is to always convey the clear message, convey the feelings, The main intervention of this project is the to be kept in people’s memory. So that if in the historical route. This route starts from the future, the symptoms of suspicious movement northern entrance and end at the roof of appears, they will remember not to support and the first floor of the old wall, which is now a not to be on the wrong side. museum. Visitors will first experience this park, then learn about all the historical knowledge

6 7 THINKING OF THE PLACE We realize that although it brings bad memory to the people, the Wall of Mussert has high historical value as most significant evidence of the NSB, the traitors of the nation, in the Netherlands. On the other hand, despite of its unique architecture of its kind, this object can act as warning for people to not do the REFLECTION PARK same thing in the future. We call our project as reflection park, not a memorial park, because this park is designed not to appreciate or give admiration of the dark story of NSB, but rather for people to reflect to the impact of their movement in the society. Convey the message that GIVE A MESSAGE certain action always bring equal consequences. The main message we want to convey through The Reflection For the historical part, our Park design is the relation main target group is the young between the action and the generation, as a learning place. consequences. The NSB and the And the other target group are suffer of the victims they reported the historian and tourist who are to the Nazi. The Exclusivism willing to search for information which could cause segregation, and experience to dig the story in Dictatorism which cause terror. the past.

8 9 PROJECT IN TWO PARTS The project mainly consist of 2 parts. The Gallery of the past (The wall of Mussert) and the Remembrance Wall. The Gallery of the Past is a museum displaying pictures and documents from the dark story of NSB. This part become the ‘action’ part of the park. Place to learn the history THE PLAN that we don’t want to repeat in the future. The Remembrance The Reflecting Park Wall is the new intervention. situated in the core of the Sitting on the large reflecting site. The visitor will start the pond, it is the representation of tour from the existing main the ‘consequences’, and place access. The main feature we put respect and peace for the on the plan are the tunnel as victims. main entrance to the main park, The Remembrance We change the main orientation Wall, the reflecting pond of people as in the past they will and the seating mound facing the old wall as their focal in the middle of the area, point. With the new intervention, The Gallery of The Past people mostly will be oriented which is the existing Wall to the reverse direction, to the of Mussert, and the row of remembrance wall. The wall of boundary trees to separate Mussert will only become the the main park to its buffer background of this park. zone.

10 11 Following the main path from the HISTORICAL ROUTE ENTRANCE POINT entrance, visitors get a glimpse of Glimps ofthe new wall and the a light grey wall and come in front The main intervention of this tunnel of a tunnel. Entrance project is the historical route. This route starts from the northern entrance and end at the roof of the first floor of the old wall, which is now a museum. Visitors will first experience this park, then learn about all the historical knowledge of NSB and the speeches happened here in the museum (Gallery of the Past). And finally, standing on the wall, we get an overview of the whole park. New Wall In this case, visitors start their tour from the new wall and Reflection Pond reflection pond, which is also our new focal point. At that time, they probably have no idea of what are they looking at. After visiting the old wall and learning about all the historical knowledge in the museum, visitors have some

Old Wall idea about this place. Then they climb up to the balcony of the old wall and get an overview there. With all the fresh knowledge, it is highly possible that they can relate their not-so-long-ago experience to the story. By then, visitors would be able to see the relation between the new focal point (the new wall and pond) and the old one (the old wall). In fact, the new focal point demonstrates the result of the NSB actions on the old focal point. They share this action-result relation.

12 13 Going out, it is light and peaceful, which makes visitors full of honour Going in the narrow, dark tunnel, and respect. An amphitheatre INSIDE TUNNEL visitors feel the depression that the OUTSIDE TUNNEL faces something at their back, out Dark, Narrow, Depressed victims of the movement NSB felt. Light and peaceful, reflecting of curiosity, visitors are tempted to (feelings of victims) zone look back.

14 15 Going through the slop of the amphitheatre, visitors are now Looking back, visitors see light grey possible by using a special material wall and its reflection in the pond. It standing in a meadow. The dark for the wall -- translucent concrete. wall where Mussed used to give his appears on the wall some noticeable Manipulating the percentage and image of barbed wires and not Speeches is right in front. Inside structure of translucent concrete the wall, the linier corridors are so noticeable human figures. It within the normal concrete, this feels like human behind bars. In transformed to museums. Photos amazing lighting effect is possible. and documents of the history could the reflection however, the human If the visitors are interested in this, LOOKING BACK figures are much more noticeable IN A MEADOW be seen here. And the stories of Light grey wall with some image they can follow the path and take a Dark old wall becomes visible the NSB stories and this reflecting than the wires. This amazing closer look of the wall. and reflection with image phenomenon could be made park are told.

16 17 On the roof of the wall, visitors get an overview of this park. Light grey new wall with reflecting pool is the new focal point of this park. The light and peaceful atmosphere encourage us to respect and reflect. And this old wall that they are standing on, with all the dark The image of human behind ON THE BALCONY historys, is no longer the central of OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL barbed wires is not only visible on Overview of the whole park attention, but only a background, Images in the shade the wall, in the reflection, but also which reminds people of this in the shade of the wall. history.

18 19 A NEW FOCUS The new focal point demonstrates used to show the overall impact the result of the NSB actions on of the whole NSB movement. On the old focal point. this larger scale, this movement Images on the wall feels more of NSB had wide spread affect. concrete than images in the Jewish people were caught and reflection and shade. Therefore, put behind bars because of NSB. it is used to show the direct result Images of human figures behind of the NSB actions that happened barbed wires represent these here on the old wall. For All those poor Jewish people being sold speeches happened here, the out to the Germans. FOR LOCALS? direct result is hardly noticeable, In short, the new focal point tells The main intervention of the no one in this area dies directly the result of actions on this old memorial park occur in the core of this. The new wall, which the focal point, the old wall. The new area. figures barely seen, represent wall itself tells the direct result, Surrounding open green area this hardly noticeable direct and its reflection and shade tells have the visual connection to result. the overall result of the NSB the core site but also have the Images in the reflection and movement in a more ambiguous obvious boundary. in the shade, are much more way. ambiguous, and are therefore CORE AREA BUFFER AREA

20 21 RECREATION ROUTE CONNECTION SURROUNDINGS PROSPECTIVE ACTIVITIES The buffer zone have its own This buffer area can be an The activities here are preferred path which won’t influence the transition area between the lively to be peaceful and calm, like the main visiting route and will nearby recreation area and quiet outdoor café, picnic and jogging. connect the neighborhood. memory park.

22 23

THE GARDEN OF CHOICES

ALEXANDRA KARAMPOURNIOTI MINGYANG YANG

24 25 PROJECT DESCRIPTION GARDEN OF The bright garden promotes democracy and de- CHOICE bates while the dark one shows the solidity and narrow-mindness of the NSB members. Heritage and its values can be an intriguing challenge for new developments. We consider heritage as a motive and as an important factor that should The way towards the dark garden is a narrow en- be taken into consideration when a new inter- closed corridor that allow people to see only a vention is needed. It is the elements of the past small part of the wall and that is where Mussert that carry profound meanings and can function was giving his speeches. This part of the wall will as a starting point for a further development. be partly demolished to show the downfall of this leader and his organisation. The point where eve- The wall of Mussert and the site surrounding it ryone used to focus on will now be empty and de- carry ambivalent meanings as it was the core stroyed showing our contempt to such totalitar- of the NSB organisation meetings. However, ian practices. The way to the bright garden will be despite its notoriety, the site hosted scouting through a berceau of plants showing the door to activities and campings as well, features that “new life” and light. come into contradiction with the “black page” of history. The new garden will function as a recreational We aim to make an intervention that will pre- center first of all for the campsite. At this moment serve the sense of the place: what we create can the center of the camping is empty and useless, it be nowhere else but there. We decide to work seems abandoned and noone really uses it. The with the existing elements: we don’t want to de- new intervention aims to revitalize the campsite’s molish heritage but to keep it and make it part of core and make it meaningful for the people living a new intervention that will be both a reminder there. Moreover, it can also be a garden of a more as well as a new recreational core. We address regional scale addressed to two target groups: three important values: the historical one that those who are interested in history and see the focuses on the meaning and symbolization of garden as a memorial and those from the areas the wall but also the natural and the recreation- close to the site that seek for recreation and a al value of heritage. Historical value represents place to meet and discuss with friends. The bright the past while natural and recreational value garden will include an amphitheater, kiosks and a represent the present and the future. Two worlds that come into contradiction and let the visitor cafe where people can gather and debate. create their own narrative. The garden of choice longs for creating a Our intervention is called the “Garden of choice”. dialogue between the past and the present as well It is a garden of quite large size that encloses the as between heritage and nature. Totalitarianism past and the present in one ensemble. The char- versus democracy, narrow and rigid minds versus acteristic of this garden is that it contains two open minds and optimism. ABOUT HERITAGE parts separated by a new wall that we add. The one part of the garden is dark and shady, planted Our opinion is with dark colored vegetation, representing the that the heritage is dark page of history whereas the other part is a important, but we colourful and open place that is focused on the can not stuck in the present and on recreation. history. We have to The new wall will be of a new material and color find a new function and will be put next to the existing wall of Mus- for the Mussert Wall sert, parallel to it. This wall plays a crucial role which can benefit in the garden as it is the first element that the the local people and visitor of the garden encounters. The entrances attract the visitors. of the garden are at the two ends of the wall and That means that the the spot where one decides which side they want Mussert Wall will be to experience is in the middle of this wall. There, translated more than one comes to a threshold that divides two differ- a historical park. ent worlds and the choice is up to them: either they choose to learn about the dark history of the place through the wall and through an exhibition or they choose to enjoy nature and meet with other people. 26 27 TWO CHOICES There are many choice in our AT THE THRESHOLD: TWO PARKS life, now we are experiencing The difference between two parks the same way will be shown in a more visible way: as Mussert did. the bright site is a vibrant garden with What will be beautiful flowers, and the dark side is your choice? a “dark” garden with black tulips and The dark side, or dark colored shrubs. the bright side?

28 29 TWO WORLDS IN A GARDEN The new garden encloses two different is needed to enclose the garden. worlds. The sunny-recreational part The differentiation of vegetation represents the present while the dark- (young trees /old trees) will make the memorial part represents the future. The contradiction between the past and new colorful wall will be the divider. the present-future even more visible. The vegetation around the garden is also differentiated: we preserve the existing trees at the old part behind the Mussert wall but we plant new trees at the side of the sunny garden. This new vegetation

A CUT BETWEEN THE PRESENT AND THE PAST At the past the site was used by a crowd that focused on one leader, a characteristic of totalitarianism. Our intervention with the new wall divides the site into two parts. We give more space to the park that represents the present, marginalizing the past. Now the focus of people gathering in the park will be on other people: the debate, which is the characetristic of democracy, will be promoted. It is all a matter of choice.

30 31 current axis break the axis

BREAK THE AXIS OF THE PAST

The axis of the past used to be very PLAN OF THE GARDEN strong and pointing at one palce: the leader. We want to break that The entrances of the garden axis and redirect the movement. are at the two sides of the We keep only one small part of it new wall. In the miidle is and add a new axis represented by the decision point. The the new wall. At the intersection of new core is surrounded these two axes, old and new, is the by dense vegetation: the point where one decides which side enclosure gives emphasis they will follow. on the congested meanings of the site. new axis and interventions two worlds

32 33 SPATIAL SEQUENCE: A ROUTE AND A NARRATIVE

The spatial sequence starts from a dark linear space, the entrances of the new wall. Visitors can only see the light in the end of the corridor which attracts them to step forward (1). Then they will see the two gardens through the openings-frames on the wall, thinking about the history and their own choice (2). They will come at the threschold (circle on the map) that looks at two different worlds. I f one looks towards the old wall they will see that the place where Mussert used to give speech, is now nothing but ruins (3). If he looks at the other side then a colourful garden will be revealed. If they chose the dark side, they will see the exhibition for the history of Mussert Wall in a new extending corridor (4).

4 2

34 35

ROLE OF THE GARDEN FOOD BONDING!

The new garden will be the new core of the campsite. Entrances will be opened also in the south and EVANGELIA GEORGALI in the south-east of the site and parking facilities ABHINAYA GNANA will be added. The route towards the garden will be separated from the rest MARIA SACHSAMANOGLOU of the campsite by means of dense vegetation. Thus, the private will be clearly separated from the public. People living at the campsite will use the new garden as their recreational core and will make use of a space that was previously empty and dead. The garden may be a part of a wider route that connects other interesting sites of the area around such as the Middelpunt van Nederland and the Zandgroeve. The garden will benefit the campers but also people from Lunteren and Ede that want to learn more about history or just want to enjoy nature with friends.

36 37 PROJECT DESCRIPTION FOOD three parts of a whole - the one that represents BONDING history (the wall, WW2), the scouting (the res- taurant which is a new extension, 1950s), and During our three day workshop we were asked the camping area/open area/nature or land- to transform the Wall of Mussert. Howev- scape extension (the amphitheatre, current er, while visiting the site on the first day, we situation). The restaurant is an extension of asked ourselves if the task is only about the the wall, which we plan to restore to its original wall or if it has a lot more than the eye can see. state. It is an extension for two reasons; firstly, Therefore, we decided to also explore the rec- so that the three main axes (nature, history and reational routes in the area with the help of the recreation) can be experienced as one continu- map outside the Hotel Belmont where we were ous line, and, secondly, so that the existing lev- We were asked to transform the wall of staying during the workshop. els of the site can be used effectively. ? ? We enjoyed a lot the biking routes through the The functions that are employed on the site Mussert? forests and experienced varying landscapes. make sure that the place is for everyone - peo- The existing routes connect many points ple interested in history can visit and take a which are marked by sign boards. We noticed, tour of the wall, people interested in a different though, that not all the points are special lo- and special food experience can visit the res- cations, but only a few of them. Besides, the taurant, while people interested in nature and hmm wall of Mussert is not one of these points on landscape can follow the new route, the brown But, is it only the wall in this area? any of the routes. We thought, hence, that we route, that connects the interesting locations. could connect the most interesting points we Apart from creating these connections, we also experienced and link them to the wall of Mus- pay attention to the nature preservation areas. sert. With our intervention, we create a new nature network that is an extension of the existing one. For us, the site of the wall is very interesting The new walking brown route connects the wall because it not only includes the wall, a dark area, the sand quarry, the middle point, and the page in the history, but it also contains differ- Hessenhut, stretching over a length of 5 to 7 kil- ent elements. In order to understand better ometers. In addition, our proposed intervention these layers, we looked through history and for the wall can function as a stayspot for eat- found three main components - the scouting, ing (grab something to eat while enjoying the the camping and the history of NSB. We, there- route). However, at this point we should high- fore, consider the current landscape ensemble light that we are not just proposing a conven- as one that has evolved over time, resembling tional restaurant. Instead, based on the scout- a book with many chapters. The black chapter ing idea, we are putting forward a restaurant We of Mussert is only one of them. developed on different levels, where people can collect their goods from the gardens and then While brainstorming on what we can do to cook them all together as part of a communal think emphasize that it is not only the NSB period experience. THE STARTING POINT that is the most significant here, but on the We decide to frame our contrary that the history is much more versa- no intervention by taking a tile, we came to the conclusion that food could bring people together without compromising closer look to the greater the historic value of the place or its landscape area and by unveiling the qualities. We also wanted to diminish the im- history of the site, as if it portance the wall gives to the dark history and were a book consisting of give it a new function while linking it to a larger different chapters. network. Thus, our proposal is to transform the wall of Mussert into a recreational area with facilities dedicated to food (restaurant and gardens), history and green open spaces for leisure, play and camping.

In brief, our concept is proposing a 3 dimen- sional perspective of the site. In other words, the transformation of the wall can be seen as 38 39 OUR EXPERIENCE OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE During our ride, we were surprised to discover The site is a palimpsest, where the overlaying of dif- landscapes that bear little resemblance to the typical ferent layers over time led to the creation of this mul- ti-faceted entity. The landscape biography is written dutch landscape image. Dense forests and clearings, by three main historic periods: the WW2, when Mus- hilly areas and flat parts, sandy horse paths and stony sert talked to the supporters of NSB, the 50s, when routes, they were all there. In this green maze, we got the place was used as a scouting area and the current lost a couple of times, but the joy of discovering hidden period with the place being used as a camping site. little treasures was always motivating us to keep on. Thus, history and culture, recreation but also nature and landscape blend together shaping what we see today. Even though the site is unfairly linked to only one period, the dark years of Mussert. In fact, the place was occupied much more by the scouts and the immigrants who found shelter there than by the NSB members who merely used it once or twice a year for their gatherings.

mussert at the wall OUR EXPERIENCE During our ride, we were sur- prised to discover landscapes that bear little resemblance to the typical dutch landscape im- age. Dense forests and clear- ings, hilly areas and flat parts, sandy horse paths and stony routes, they were all there. In this green maze, we got lost a couple of times, but the joy of discover- ing hidden little treasures was always motivating us to keep on. NATURE AND LANDSCAPE camping

LANDSCAPE BIOGRAPHY RECREATION scouting

40 41 These are the words that poped up during our brainstorming and our discussion for the project, mainly related to history and recreation??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Without Compromising let’s brainstorm! Its historic These are the words Significance + that poped up dur- Food can ing our brainstorm- Landscape ing and our discus- bring people sion for the project, quality mainly together related to history and recreation.

FOOD AS A CONNECTOR One of the most essential parts of this transformation proposal is to inroduce food and cooking in a place of heritage importance.

42 43 CONCEPT The project is based upon three main axes: nature, his- tory and recreation, but also aims to reveal all three layers of the history. The intervention mainly includes an extension of the existing wall structure, that will function as a restau- rant, thanks to which, the visi- tor can experience the three axes and the three layers in one continuous line. This also NATURA NETWORK allows taking full advantage of The site is surrounded the existing levels of the site, by a green framework, an that can function as a pub- important NATURA area. lic space, bringing people to- It is crucial, therefore, to gether and promoting interac- make it part of this wider tion and socialization. Apart framework, emphasiz- from that, special care is given ing on its natural signifi- to the connections of the site cance, apart from the his- with the surrounding area and toric and recreational one. with other focal points.

44 45 PROPOSED ROUTING MASTERPLAN The creation of a 5 to 7 After leaving his car in the km. walking route that parking space, the visitor will connect the Muur can reach the Wall of Mus- van Mussert with oth- sert where he can have a er focal points, will al- tour inside the wall or enjoy low the integration of a meal in the restaurant. the site into its wider After that, he can keep context, making it part on to discover the Sand of the natural-recrea- Quarry, to cross the bridge, tional network of the learn about the transforma- area. The visitor can tion of the area and climb access the site from the dramatic staircase to the continue his route. Further NW corner, after park- on, he can reach the Mid- ing his car close to the delpunt to take a picture main street. A linear next to the rock, thrilled of axis leads him to the being in the geographical Wall. From there, he middle of the Netherlands. can continue to the From the viewpoint he can Sand Quarry (Zand- 5-7 KM get a glimpse of the open groeve), to the Middel- fields ahead and finally find punt, the viewpoint and the Hessenhut, climb up on the Hessenhut belve- the look-out belvedere and dere, returning finally enjoy the panoramic vistas to the start of his tour. of the surroundings.

46 47 48 49 50 51 THE INTERVENTION

The above two drawings show the intervention at the site. They depict the three parts - the restaurant, the wall, and the amphitheatre, which represent the recreation, history and nature respectively. The first drawing shows how one enters the site, having a view towards the wall, getting directed along the levels towards the wall, or towards the restaurant, based on the type of visitor. The second drawing shows the different levels being used on the site for the various interventions.

THE BROWN ROUTE

The Brown Route is an experience for na- ture and history lovers, vanishing into dense forests, going up and down, overlooking fields, but most of all of- fering a memorable ex- perience to anyone who dares to follow it and discover the little gems of Lunteren.

52 53 Information center + viewing wall APPROACHING THE SITE

As the visitor approaches the site, he is confronted with the visitor’s center, where he can get informa- tion about the site and its transformation. He can also get be informed about how to go about the site there-on to learn more about the history of the place. A regular visi- tor to the site, who has come there for the restaurant or to enjoy the open amphitheatre may not go to this informa- tion centre. An extension to this information centre is the viewing wall. HERE YOU ARE!

54 55 Greenhouse + restaurant

TAKE A GLIMPSE! The viewing wall which is an extension to the infor- mation centre has a little window through which one can view the wall of Mus- sert directly. One is re- minded of the fact that the old wall, which was used for speeches is now a res- taurant, and that though the historical part is important, it isn’t the most important component there HERE YOU ARE!

56 57 A section of the greenhouse and the A TRANSFORMED PLACE restaurant shows how the new glass extension works in two levels- the The above is a wholesome view of the site, highlighting the greenhouse at the lower level, where three aspects. It shows the greenhouse and also shows the the visitor can pick their own vegeta- caravans where the visitor could have a special dining experi- bles and herbs, and the upper restau- ence. This represents a segment of the current camping situ- rant level from where the diners can ation on the site. have a beautiful view of the landscape behind them, as well as the planting in- The lavender lined gravel pathway highlights the central axis doors. which divides the nature segment and the recreation segment, though visually well united. The stepped seating of the amphi- theatre integrated with greenery ensures aesthetic value to the visitors.

58 59 Dining balcony

DINING IN THE BALCONY! In history, Anton Mussert used to address a gathering of 20,000 to 30,000 at this bal- cony. We now intend to make HERE YOU ARE it open to visitors to dine with a view of the site.

60 61 Kitchen + musserrt’s house

THE KITCHEN IN THE MUSSERT HOUSE Mussert used this building back then as a space to read and write when he needed some change of mind. The space is now converted into a kitchen which serves the restaurant. The visitor can have a close view of the converted space, while having his little barbeque on a sunny day outside the house. HERE YOU ARE

62 63 Outdoor terrace

THE TERRACE AS A COMMUNAL SPACE The outdoor terrace space which can be accessed by steps next to the wall is also used for a different dining experience. This semicov- ered space is pleasant due to HERE YOU ARE the vegetation and planting around it. It can also be used as a small gathering space or a place to hold little events.

64 65 BRIGHTER PLACES! Concluding, our project does not focus so much on the wall itselfa and FOOD INSIDE THE WALL! how it is only connected to the movemnt of NSB, but The visitor can also have a chooses to go through all drink or dine inside the wall. As the layers of the landscape they dine, they can look around and history emphasizing and notice parts of the history on the food as a connector. through pictures and informa- Thus, we are not neglect- tion boards along the corridors, ing or forgetting the black and through dining mats at their pages of history, but we are tables. The lighting inside the designing brighter places. wall is unique due to the mini- mal openings.

66 67

FROM ONE TO ALL REDEFINING THE MEETING PLACE

ANGELIKI ANAGNOSTOU IDA RASMUSSEN NICOLE ALEWIJN

68 69 PROJECT DESCRIPTION FROM ONE TO full of choices. The “wall of the future” can ALL also be moved by people, so as a new mean- ing to be given: By moving the future, you can Our starting point was that history and face, hide and embrace the past. heritage is a really controversial issue for DIFFERENT ATTITUDES which the different generations have dif- As far as the uses of the wall and the amphi- Dealing with heritage sites ferent opinions. Especially, places such as theater are concerned, both are multi-func- such as the Wall of Mussert the wall of Mussert that constituted a black tional. More specifically, the amphitheater can evoke many different page of the history can develop conflicts can be used as a site of movie nights, either opinions and attitudes. between the members of a community. So, for educational purposes about World War our main focus was based on how we can II or just for leisure. The area can be also an satisfy the different opinions, target and open stage for big scale events like opera age groups and how we can redefine this concerts or for local events and festivals, at- place in a new meeting place for all without tracting not only locals but also people from forgetting parts of its history. all the country. It must also be mentioned that parts of the existing camping are maintained Analyzing the different historical layers of but in a different way, mainly with tents or the place, we dare say that not only the wall caravans. So, campers can also use the am- as a wall was part of the history of the place, phitheater and the central stage for different but also the whole area. Starting from the activities. Moreover, art exhibitions could be first use of the area, it was used as a meeting organized there. All these various activities point of NSB movement during World War II are supported by the “wall of the future”, and after it. However, although this was the which can function as a projection/movie initial purpose of the wall of Mussert, only a screen, a temporary art exhibition space and few meetings were organized there. During by using elements out of it for seats or/and 1950, the whole area was transformed into a tables. scouting meeting point and after that until today, it is used as a camping place. To sum up, by transforming the place to a new cultural site and making it part of In that sense, for us the most important a hiking/cycling network which connects part of this place history was the fact that it different important places of the area such was used as a meeting point during all the as the Middelpunten van Netherlands and the chronological periods. But how can you give Hessenhut, we can attract different people a new meaning to a Nazi meeting place? for different reasons. The turning from a dictatorial to democrat- ic place could be the solution. Thus, by us- ing the Greek ancient theater as a symbol of democracy and public space, we propose a transformation that refers not to one per- son, the leader but to all. Designing an amphitheater with a central stage, we turn the focus of people from an upper point to one person, to a central low- er point where many people can participate in various activities. In that way, the wall of Mussert as a building is set as a scenery in a theater. It constitutes the background by expressing metaphorically that we put the past behind and we build a new future. To strengthen this concern, we also propose a new “wall”, contrary to the old one. The “wall of the past” is unchangeable, solid, steady, heavy, whilst the “wall of the future” will be changeable, light/bright, open and 70 71 Different layers of history

Camping site

Scouting

Wall of Mussert (World War II)

Different layers of history There are more layers of his- tory at the site besides the Wall of Mussert to be considered. During the 1950’s it was used by scouts and later as a camp site.

72 73 PUT THE PAST BEHIND YOU AND BUILD A NEW FUTURE WALL OF MUSSERT AS A MEETING POINT NEW MEANING TO THE MEETING POINT THE WALL AS A SCENERY From centre of attention, the wall is redefined as a back- ground, a scenery to the new activities at the site.

The landscape around Wall of Mussert Reshaping the landscape can create was designed for people to be orientated an orientation towards a new centre towards the wall and the speaker at the of attention at the site, inspired by a elevated balcony on the wall. democratic ideal of equality and openness and create a new meaning to the site.

74 75 THE SITE AS A MOVIE NIGHT Different activities can take place at the PAST PRESENT new scene venue. A new wall-structure can support the many new activities. The new structure will be a contrast to the The new structure will be a contrast to the existing existing Wall of Mussert, which will remain at Wall of Mussert, which will remain at the site to the site to represent a heavy past which can not represent a heavy past which can not be changed. be changed. The new structure will be moveable, The new structure will be moveable, flexible and flexible and represent a future which we have an represent a future which we have an influence on. influence on.

76 77 The future wall as a multi functional element

THE FUTURE AS A MULTIFUNCTIONAL ELEMENT The new structure can be moved around the amphitheatre, panels can be taken out of it to sit on, or it can be used as THE SITE AS AN EXHIBITION a screen to project movies onto. By adjusting the new wall, the site can be used as exhibition space.

78 79 MASTERPLAN Plan view of the new site. A large parking space will facilitate the many visitors. Surrounded by for- est, the site will appear as a part of the local forest while the outer zone of the site will still act as a camping site. The area behind the new wall will facilitate tents and smaller caravans

THE NEW STAGE

The new stage can be used for local ar- rangements, open stage, by the camp- ers at the campsite, or as recreational space for the locals.

80 81 THE LARGE SCALE The new site can be- come a part of the net- work of paths around the area. Close by the middle point of the Netherlands, the Hes- senhut view tower and AS YOU ENTER the zandgroeve can be experienced. The original axis to- wards the wall is kept as the entrance point, creating an aware- ness of the wall of Mussert by arrival.

82 83 SCAPE ARCHI- TECTURE

84 85