Zandvoort recreational park was nominated for Archdaily project of the year in 2020

Location: Zandvoort
Year: 2019
Area: 650 m2
Status: built
Client: Inleisure
Team: Remko Remijnse, Agnese Argenti, Emanuele Saracino, Manfredi Guidi di Bagno
Landscape: Snoek Puur Groen
Interior: RH Interieurs
Contractor: Peter Peters

In mid-July 2019, the recreational park Qurios Zandvoort opened in Zandvoort, situated between the beach and the Formula 1 circuit. The park’s unique location near the beach, the Kennemerland National Park, the cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam, and the adjacent Formula 1 circuit attract a diverse range of visitors. This diversity calls for a different concept than the ‘one size fits all’ approach often seen in other recreational parks. Architecture plays a key role in expressing this diversity within the park.

The park consists of 100 cottages and 2 pavilions with public facilities. Designed as a dune landscape, the park has sand literally running up to the buildings. The cottages are situated on various plateaus within the park. The differences in elevation provide privacy between the cottages and make them easily recognizable. The park layout is playful, with each cottage having its own orientation. Together with the rugged dune landscape and the varying elevations, this creates a contemporary and distinctive atmosphere.

The park is compact with an intimate atmosphere and a strong focus on nature. The volumes are predominantly designed with natural materials, contrasting with the smooth design of the undulating dune landscape. The park aims to exude tranquility and relaxation. Children can use the entire park as a playground since parking is centrally located, and no cars are allowed within the park, enhancing the natural experience.

Access to the park is provided from the Zandvoort boulevard. Upon arrival, the entrance pavilion immediately catches the eye. From the entrance pavilion, visitors descend to the central pavilion. The central pavilion serves as the meeting and activity hub of the park. On the ground floor, there are facilities such as a restaurant and an activity room, with the caretaker’s residence on the upper floor. This pavilion shares a strong architectural relationship with the entrance pavilion, except for the caretaker’s residence, which is a closed volume made of weathered corten steel placed on the roof. Corten steel was chosen for its ability to weather visibly due to the sea’s influence. Facing the sea, there is a large loggia within the closed volume. The residence receives natural light through the large patio in the center. From the loggia, the caretaker can access the rooftop terrace that surrounds the residence, offering views of the sea, dunes, the entire park, and the F1 circuit. The programs on the ground floor have a direct relationship with the surroundings. The glass facade can be fully opened in many areas, with meticulous attention to detail ensuring a seamless transition to the outdoors. Thus, the terrace and restaurant are experienced as one space, and the activity room and playground similarly integrate. Despite the immense diversity, the park exudes tranquility and simplicity, with all buildings clearly part of one cohesive whole.