RETREAT

A modular strategy for city retreat

A SENSE OF RETREAT is an initiative in close collaboration with the municipality of Leiden. The focus was on the busy station area, where an anonymous colossal building stands. The project offers a comprehensive spatial strategy aimed not only at creating more breathing room for residents but also at promoting the well-being of vulnerable groups, including young people seeking peace and security. Research shows a pressing shortage of safe spaces for youth in the city, a problem exacerbated by the aftermath of the pandemic. Now more than ever, young people face an abundance of stress and uncertainty, leading to increased burnout and depression.

A central pillar of this project is the greening of the urban environment, creating a balance between the built surroundings and natural elements. Using an innovative modular wooden building system allows previously underutilized spaces, such as blank facades, plinths, and empty rooftops, to be transformed into welcoming oases of calm and relaxation across various levels: public, collective, and private.

“If only I could find a place where I could gather my thoughts” – a homeless youth

By working closely with young people from the community, we identified and integrated their needs and desires into a spatial strategy. The result is a modular building system that provides space for various forms of rest, from active to passive and educational relaxation. The visible layers within the modular structures not only serve as an aesthetic element but also act as a symbolic representation of accessibility and inclusivity. The vertical connections become public routes, allowing visitors easy access to a rooftop city park.

Program: Hybrid

Completion: 2022 (case study)

Location: Leiden - Station gebied

Client: Stimuleringsfonds

Design: A SENSE OF_ and Khani Architecten

Visuals: 3D ontwerp visualisatie

Collaboration: Khani Architecten and Municipality of Leiden