New Country Estate – A bridge between two worlds
In Ede, Strootman Landschapsarchitecten successfully connected two neighborhoods with the creation of New country estate. This garden park serves as a modern counterpart to the nearby historic country estate of Kernhem. A vital aspect of the project is its role as a habitat for several bat colonies. Newly planted trees and nature-friendly embankments form migration routes for the bats as they search for food.
Location
Ede, Gelderland
Principal
gemeente Ede, Dura Vermeer en BPF Vastgoed
Surface Area
4 ha
Design Year
2008-2017
The initial plan for New country estate envisioned the construction of a shopping center and park over the provincial road N224. However, as time went on, the plans were adjusted due to economic challenges. What remains of the original concept is the park-like setting. The shopping center was ultimately built north of the road, while a pedestrian and cyclist underpass was created to connect the two neighborhoods. The underpass was deliberately designed with open sections to create a light and safe atmosphere.
The design of New country estate draws inspiration from the old country estate of Kernhem, situated north of the provincial road. The residential area to the north is also named Kernhem, while the southern neighborhood is called Veldhuizen. Strootman Landschapsarchitecten extended the historically green and landscaped character of the northern area into the southern neighborhood, creating a seamless and unified landscape. Elements of the garden park still reflect the essence of the old country estate, with clusters of trees, alternating dense and open spaces, ponds, and carefully designed street furniture.
One of the distinctive features of New country estate is the preserved beech avenues that link the park to the Veluwe, a large natural area. These avenues serve as critical migration routes for bats, guiding them along water features nestled between residential buildings. These bat colonies are protected and hold significant ecological value. To support their habitat, monumental trees were preserved, and approximately 250 new trees were planted, including oaks, beeches, and lindens. Additionally, the lighting fixtures were specifically designed to minimize light pollution, ensuring the tree canopies remain undisturbed.
Along the ponds, robust bank vegetation, forest thickets, and cattails were planted to provide shelter for insects. This vegetation also acts as a natural guide for bats, leading them from one pond to another. To ensure year-round flowering, a diverse selection of species was planted in the garden park, including magnolias, prunus, cornus, davidia and paulownia. The planting scheme is a blend of native and non-native species, strategically grouped by family to create simultaneous blooming displays across the park.
The blooming season is extended through the use of a prairie planting mix in the understory, featuring a gradient of colors from white, lavender, and blue to lilac, purple, red, and pink. Furthermore, various hedges that mark the boundaries of private gardens offer food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for insects and birds throughout the year.
To preserve the green character of the garden park, hard surfaces were kept to a minimum. Residents are encouraged to park on their own property. The only substantial paved area is the parking lot at the shopping center. Even here, thoughtful planting was integrated, with gleditsia triacanthos 'shademaster' and sophora japonica interspersed among the cobblestone-sized bricks