Street furniture in Corpus den Hoorn

Client: Nijestee and De Huismeesters

Nijestee and De Huismeesters are two of the five housing corporations in the city of Groningen. Both are social organisations that feel responsible for proper housing for people with lower incomes, and they are committed to improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods where these homes are located. For these purposes, the neighbourhood renewal plan for the Corpus den Hoorn district was adopted in 2002 and a neighbourhood renewal in the south-western quadrant of Corpus den Hoorn was begun.

Art commission in the 2011 master class

The participants of the master class were asked to design a work where art and architecture intersected. This is because the neighbourhood, particularly the south-west quadrant, was greatly changed by the neighbourhood renovation from an architectural point of view. A work of art with a functional character was preferred, such as a place to stay or meet. It was important for the artwork to be spatially and socially embedded in its immediate surroundings and invite interaction. The participants were expected to offer their expertise to serve the neighbourhood, and the work of art was inspired by results from research among residents in the neighbourhood. The aim was to place the work in the south-west quadrant.

Of the nine sketch designs from the 2011 master class, Lena van der Wal’s was selected.