Best
Stationsgebied Oostzijde
The south side too is mainly used for parking and logistics, while the tunnel roof’s quality of place does not encourage people to linger.
The north side of the station area is mainly used as a car park and bus station. The Tapijtcentrum Nederland can be seen in the background.
More than 20 years ago, the railway line in Best was moved underground. This created an opportunity to improve the quality of the area and its surroundings, and to optimize the relationship between its west and east sides.
However, this opportunity was never taken. The extensive public space lacks and has no relationship to the surrounding buildings. The tunnel roof and its immediate surroundings are dominated by paving and (parked) cars. The slow traffic connection with the surrounding area is also not optimal.
With the new station area and the realisation of approximately 600 homes, De Zwarte Hond adds a lively and attractive chapter to the rich history of Best. We are shaping this chapter together with the stakeholders and the existing surroundings in keeping with the character of Best.
Station area with border between west side and east side
Advisory scenario Best Station area
Map of rules for Best station area
Analysis and concept
The redevelopment of Best’s station area not only builds on the past, but also gives substance to the ambitions, objectives and requirements set out in local government policies which originate from council decisions.
The area is divided into two parts, both of which are developing at different paces but cannot be considered separately. These are the east side (residential buildings) and the west side (platform, bus station and NS car park).
Advisory scenario for the entire station area
Prior to the urban design for the east side, De Zwarte Hond drew up an advisory scenario for the entire station area. In this scenario, the bus station remains in its current location, but is renovated and extended to connect to the Brainport line. This line runs along the south-east side of the site and crosses the refurbished bus station diagonally to the north-west. Existing bus services will remain largely unchanged. In the southern part of the site is a compact parking solution: a new two-storey car park.
A map of rules to play by
The advisory scenario has been translated into a map of rules to play by. This map provides orientation and certainty as well as flexibility by clearly defining the rules. At the same time, the map shows where there is still room for manoeuvre in the further development. This flexibility is necessary to allow room for innovative and high-quality solutions in the follow-up process.
Een herkenbaar en stedelijk ensemble nabij het station
Met dorpse kwaliteiten; ruimte voor groen,
A new entrance for Best
Best faces a major housing challenge and deserves a new, welcoming entrance from the station. An entrance it feels good to come home to, where everyone feels welcome, where people want to spend time and where visitors get a positive first impression of Best. The entrance needs to be more than just a functional station environment, and the development of the east side plays an important role in this.
Increasing building heights
Connections
A single grand gesture
A network of public spaces
A recognizable and urban ensemble near the station with village qualities such as space for greenery, space for slow traffic and a human scale design. A series of urban design interventions have been undertaken to create a recognizable urban ensemble with village-like qualities, plenty of space devoted to placemaking , a human scale and a maximum of 600 homes:
1. Connections: A new east-west connection is being created, improving the link between the city center and the western side of Best. Additionally, the connection to the center via Hoofdstraat is being strengthened.
2. A single grand gesture: The building blocks align with the scale and proportions of the city center. The new buildings on the eastern side collectively form a unified architectural statement.
3. A Network of public spaces: The design integrates with larger public spaces such as Stationsplein and the cemetery. The collective courtyards connect to the network of more intimate, quiet communal courtyards in the surrounding area.
4. Increasing building heights: The new development forms a new urban cluster around Best station. A height accent (tower) near the station enhances recognition. Building heights decrease as they move further from the station. Along Hoofdstraat and Molenstraat, the heights align with the historic ribbon structures.
Building heights
Next to the station is a 14-storey building. Towards the existing roads to the north and south, the buildings become lower, with a height of four storeys plus a roof. Some buildings will have terraces or recessed floors to make the height less massive. This will allow more light and sunshine into the inner gardens and along the route between the station and the centre. At the same time, it will add to the more agreeable and village-like atmosphere of the public space.
View of the Rembrandt Path as seen from the city center/east side.
Best Oostzijde Station Area
Over 20 years ago, the railway line in Best was moved underground, creating an opportunity to improve the quality of the area and to better connect its west and east sides. However, these opportunities were never taken: the public space has little quality of place, is not well connected to the buildings and is dominated by paving and cars, while the slow transport connections are inadequate. De Zwarte Hond is responsible for the urban development plan and visual quality plan for the station area, which is developing into a new residential neighbourhood with 600 homes, a stone’s throw from the station and centre. The density and building heights here are higher than Best is used to, while the residential qualities are unique. On the one hand, people live right on the station square, and on the other, they live quietly around green, communal courtyards where residents can meet each other. The station area will have a contemporary look and a new welcoming entrance, with a tower forming a landmark next to the station building. A new east-west link will create a dense network between the station and the city centre. The existing link via the Hoofdstraat and the new east-west connection will be reinforced by public facilities in the plinth. With this new development for the station area, Best is adding a lively and attractive neighbourhood to its rich history. It will be a place where young and old meet and where it is pleasant to live.
details
- Project
- Best Oostzijde Station Area
- Location
- Best, NL
- Size
- 2,6 ha
- Period
- 2022-2024
- Client
- SDK vastgoed, Gemeente Best
- Discipline
- Urban Design
- Program
- Catering & Retail, Infrastructure, mixed-use, Residential, Verstedelijkingsstrategie, Work
- Status
- Development Phase, Vision
- Partners
- Maakdestad, Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners
- More info
- bd@dezwartehond.nl