The Ministry of Physical Planning Housing and Environment in the Netherlands has recognized the master plan of the Paleiskwartier, after compiling a list of interventions and projects which have come to symbolize the history of the making of the Netherlands. An arduous selection process, including public Internet voting, resulted in a shortlist of 75 entries. This was further condensed by a professional jury to the final selection of 35 projects.
Masterplanned by Dutch practice Khandekar – which has since joined forces with BDP to become BDP.Khandekar in 2008 – the Paleiskwartier has been commended for the exemplary way in which the master plan in a public-private partnership (PPP) has given a new identity to a dilapidated industrial area turning it into a new station quarter. The site has been planned on the lines of a traditional cityscape with high density mixed-use buildings. A rectilinear street grid has been imposed with contrasting forms, style and atmosphere. High quality architectural design was insisted upon and a number of renowned architects from all over Europe have designed the buildings.
The area has also been acknowledged as one of Europe’s most ambitious dynamic and architecturally-distinguished urban regeneration schemes based on Khandekar’s urban design principles and insistence on high quality architectural design. Limited architectural competitions were held for each block within the master plan area, one of which was won by UK-based international architectural firm Building Design Partnership (BDP) for its award winning Armada housing development.
